Eragrostis tenuifolia

Verloove, Filip, Gonçalves Silva, Juan J. & Leliaert, Frederik, 2024, Critical notes on grasses (Poaceae) of Madeira, Portugal, Phytotaxa 670 (1), pp. 1-17 : 12

Eragrostis tenuifolia (A. Rich.) Hochst. ex Steud.

This Afro-Asian weed was formerly mentioned from the island of Madeira by Hansen (1987). It was found in a waste place in Funchal, in 1982. However, Eragrostis tenuifolia was not upheld by Press & Short (1994), neither by Jardim & Sequeira (2008) and Sequeira et al. (2012), suggesting that it is not a permanent member of the Madeiran flora. According to Vieira (2002), its status on the island was unclear.

In fact, Eragrostis tenuifolia is still present and apparently locally naturalized in the area of Funchal. In 2021 and 2022 populations with numerous individuals were observed in irrigated lawns in park areas (Jardim de Santa Luzia and Jardins do Lido). The species was also observed along an irrigation channel (levada) in the northwestern part of Funchal.

Specimens examined: PORTUGAL. Lido-Funchal, Passeio Público Marítimo, num relvado [in a lawn], 4 July 2019, J. Ferreira, J. Silva & Y. Gonçalves 7442 ( MADM) ; Funchal, parque Santa Luzia, lawn weed, 12 September 2021, F. Verloove 14182 ( BR) ; Funchal, Papagaio Verde, Levada dos Piornais, along track, irrigation canal, ca. 500 individuals but only locally, 27 April 2022, F. Verloove 14316 ( BR) .