SafePlants

No images found for this plant ID: 3442.

Ensure images are uploaded to the Media Library and tagged with "3442" in the "plant_image_tag" taxonomy.

Safe for Children?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Dogs?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Cats?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

Safe for Reptiles?

✅ Safe: 0
❓ Neutral: 0
❌ Unsafe: 0

purple threeawn

Scientific Name: Aristida purpurea var. perplexa

Family: Poaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Purple Three-Awn (Aristida purpurea)

Purple three-awn is a species of grass native to North America. It is known for its distinctive purple inflorescences and its ability to thrive in various environments.

Considerations for Pets

  • This grass has seeds with three-spoked (3-awned) pinwheels.
  • The leaves can roll inward and may be up to 5 inches long.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Aristida purpurea Nutt.
  • Common Names: Purple three-awn, Purple 3-awn, Red threeawn, Fendler Threeawn.
  • Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
  • Synonyms: Aristida (mentioned as a synonym, but not specified)
  • Taxonomic Notes: Historically considered a complex of about eight species, but now reduced to one species with seven varieties.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to North America.
  • Fairly widespread, found in Kansas prairie and Southern California.
  • Specifically mentioned in the Edwards Plateau, Las Vegas deserts, foothills and deserts of Southern California.
  • Often found in fair-poor condition rangelands in south Texas.
  • Can increase on rangelands, forming near monocultures.

Ecological Role

  • Capable of increasing on rangelands and forming near monocultures, potentially altering stable states.
  • Can cause grazing problems in the Western United States.
  • Often found in overgrazed or disturbed areas.
  • Early colonizing native species.

Morphological Characteristics

  • Perennial grass.
  • Densely tufted bunchgrass.
  • Grows to less than 3 feet in height (specifically 12 to 24 inches tall).
  • Fine leaves up to 5 inches long that roll inward.
  • Showy purple inflorescences (flower heads).
  • The seed head is a 3-spoked (3-awned) pinwheel.
  • Erect, tufted culms, 6 to 30 inches tall, glabrous, hollow.
  • Mostly basal blades, rolled inward or flat, 1 to 12 inches long, less than 1/10 inch.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • A plant pathogenic urediniomycete fungus has been described from three-awn grass.
  • Forage value depends largely on the other species present.

Quirky Facts

  • The purple inflorescences can create the visual effect of the earth having "purple hair."

Further Information

  • Native American Seed (for purchasing).
  • Dave's Garden (for gardening tips and community).
  • Encyclopedia of Life (for articles about Aristida purpurea).
  • EBSCOhost (for essays and articles).
  • Waterwiseplants.utah.gov
  • Intermountain Flora
  • CalPhotos