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poverty threeawn

Scientific Name: Aristida divaricata

Family: Poaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Aristida divaricata: Poverty Threeawn

Aristida divaricata, commonly known as poverty threeawn, is a species of grass belonging to the genus Aristida. This plant is noted for its presence across a wide geographical range, including the central United States down to Guatemala.

Considerations for Pets

  • This grass produces awns, which are bristle-like appendages, sometimes called "tails," on the seeds.
  • The text mentions that it provides poor grazing for wildlife and fair grazing for livestock.

Considerations for Children

  • This grass produces awns, which are bristle-like appendages, sometimes called "tails," on the seeds.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Aristida divaricata Humb. & Bonpl. ex Willd.
  • Common Names: Poverty threeawn, Shinner's three awn grass, churchmouse three awn, poverty grass, spreading threeawn.
  • Genus: Aristida
  • Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to the Americas, specifically from the central United States to Guatemala.
  • Native to Texas and other states.
  • Found in fields and sandy habitats.
  • Commonly found in ecoregions of New Mexico.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Annual, warm season, native grass.
  • Described as a graminoid with green foliage and yellow flowers.
  • Known to have short leaves.
  • The red color observed comes from the long awns (tails) of the seeds.

Ecological Role

  • Provides poor grazing for wildlife and fair grazing for livestock.
  • Mentioned in the context of land where the vegetation originally dominated by poverty threeawn changed to mesquite.
  • Indicates this plant can dominate certain habitats.

Synonyms and Related Species

  • Other Aristida species mentioned include: Aristida purpurea (purple three-awn), Aristida stricta (pineland three-awn), Aristida dichotoma (churchmouse threeawn), Aristida granitica, Aristida californica, Aristida ternipes v.gentilis.

Resources and Further Information

  • Discover Life: Page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution of Aristida divaricata.
  • USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database.
  • Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. An illustrated flora of the northern United States. Washington.
  • Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences.
  • Go Botany.
  • Encyclopedia of Life.