The duration of Eragrostis capillaris is not strictly annual: it does not senesce, can reproduce multiple times, but lacks frost tolerance

Abstract

The duration of Eragrostis capillaris (L.) Nees (love lacegrass) is currently described as an annual by all sources. Here, I describe observations that show it does not senesce naturally, can reproduce multiple times across multiple years, but lacks frost tolerance. I conclude that E. capillaris probably grows as an annual throughout much of its range due to killing frost, but can have a perennial duration in locations or years that do not have a killing frost. Its status as an annual is likely to change under a warming climate. I suggest its duration should be updated to "annual or perennial" in taxonomic guides. It remains an open question how common such shifts might be under a warming climate.