Wright threeawn
Aristida purpurea var. wrightii
Poaceae
Description
This is an erect, densely tufted bunchgrass that does not branch at the nodes and has more basal leaves than oldfield threeawn. The leaf collar is hairy. The seed head is purplish at first, turning yellow to gray when dry. The spikelet has three spreading awns up to 1 inch long, with two bending horizontally about the midpoint. Spikelets are in clusters of two to four along the main stem. Glumes are unequal in length.
Wright threeawn is a perennial, warm-season, native - 12 to 30 inches tall.
Fair grazing for livestock. Poor grazing for wildlife.
Habitat
Grows on upland hills and plains.
Images
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial
Stem Texture: Hairy
Growth Habit: Bunch grass, Grasses
Season: Warm
Distribution
: 04 - Blackland Prairies, 05 - Cross Timbers and Prairies, 06 - South Texas Plains, 07 - Edwards Plateau, 08 - Rolling Plains, 09 - High Plains, 10 - Trans-Pecos
Distributions
Distribution refers to the ecological region in Texas that a plant has been found. You can also view a clickable map.
Book: Know Your Grasses (B-182)
Collection: Grasses
