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.


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