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arrowfeather threeawn
Scientific Name: Aristida purpurascens var. tenuispica
Family: Poaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Graminoid
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Arrowfeather Threeawn (Aristida purpurascens)
Aristida purpurascens, commonly known as arrowfeather threeawn, is a species of grass native to eastern North America.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Aristida purpurascens (Poir.)
- Common Names: Arrowfeather Threeawn, Threeawn, Arrow-feather
- Family: Poaceae (Grass Family), also referred to as Gramineae
- Tribe: Aristideae
- Synonyms: USDA Symbol: ARPU8
- Life Cycle: Perennial
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to eastern North America.
- A rare plant of New England coastal sandplains, specifically found in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Morphological Characteristics
- Grows from 16 to 30 inches (4-7 dm) high.
- Height: Approximately 2.5 feet.
- Culms: Stiffly erect, simple or sparingly branched, glabrous (smooth).
- Blades: Flat or involute (rolled inward) near the tip, 4 to 8 inches long, and less than .08 inch wide.
- Has distinctive curled leaves.
Ecological Role
- Recommended for natural landscapes and habitat restorations.
- Suitable for butterfly gardens.
- Can seed aggressively and form fairly dense stands if left unmanaged.
Quirky Facts
- The species name "purpurascens" refers to the purplish color the grass sometimes exhibits.
Further Information
- USDA NRCS National Plant Data: Plant Symbol = ARPU8
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center Native Plant Database
- USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
- Discover Life
- http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=ARPU8