Eriochloa sericea (Scheele) Munro ex Vasey
Whole plant
Family : Poaceae
Longevity : Perennial
Origin : Native
Season : Warm
Texas Cupgrass can be found growing in tight loamy soils of rocky slopes and well drained prairies of the Edwards Plateau and South Texas Plains. This bunchgrass can reach a height of 12 to 48 inches with small hairs at the nodes of the stem and just below the seed head. The soft leaves are 4 to 11 inches long and 1/16 to 1/8 inch wide. Texas Cupgrass reproduces through tillers and seeds. Each seed presses tightly against the branch of the seed head and appears to sit in a small cup, hence the name Cupgrass. Once the seeds have fallen, the stem has a zig-zag appearance. It is a highly palatable forage, but only survives well under moderate grazing pressure. Texas Cupgrass is a good forage for livestock, but only fair for wildlife. It blooms from April to October.
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