SafePlants

Churchmouse Threeawn (Aristida dichotoma)

Aristida dichotoma, commonly known as churchmouse threeawn, is an annual grass native to eastern and southern North America.

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is a grass, so may cause digestive upset.
• It has awns (bristles) which can be irritating to pets and cause mechanical damage.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Aristida dichotoma Michx.
• Kingdom: Plantae
• Division: Tracheophyta
• Class: Magnoliopsida
• Order: Poales
• Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
• Genus: Aristida L.
• Synonyms: Poverty Grass, Shinners' Three-awned Grass
• Common Names: churchmouse threeawn, churchmouse three awn, church mouse three-awn, Shinners’ three awn grass, poverty grass, churchmouse three awned grass

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to eastern and southern North America.
• Favors sterile, sandy soils of fields, roadsides, and disturbed areas.
• Found in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.
• Also listed in Florida.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Graminoid, meaning it is grass or grass-like.
• Annual duration, completing its life cycle in one year.
• Culms (stems) are 15-60 cm tall, erect or geniculate (bent like a knee) at the base.
• Branching occurs at most of the nodes (points where leaves emerge).
• Leaves are cauline, meaning they grow along the stem.

Ecological Role

• Often found in grasslands.

Related Species and Varieties

• Aristida dichotoma var. dichotoma
• Aristida dichotoma var. curtissii (Curtiss' Threeawn)

Further Information

• Discover Life: Provides information about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Aristida dichotoma.
• USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database: Contains photos and other information.
• Dave's Garden: A community forum where users share gardening tips and ideas.
• Go Botany: Provides botanical information on Aristida dichotoma.