| Aristida purpurascens | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Aristida |
| Species: | A. purpurascens |
| Binomial name | |
| Aristida purpurascens | |
Aristida purpurascens is a species of grass known by the common name arrowfeather threeawn. It is native to eastern North America. One of the three varieties has a distribution extending south into Honduras. [1]
A. purpurascens tolerates moderate shade. [2] It lacks rhizomes. The leaf blades are hairless, pale green, and up to 25 centimeters in length. They may become curly with age. [3] The panicle-shaped inflorescence has branches appressed to the stem, making it narrow. The awns may be up to 2.5 centimeters in length. [1] Individuals tend to be between 0.46 meters to 0.61 meters (1.5 to 2.0 feet) in height. [2] A. purpurascens possesses fibrous roots, which have a nonstructural carbohydrate concentration of 69.5 milligrams and a below-ground to aboveground biomass ration of 0.49. [4]
A. purpurascens is primarily found in dry habitats, including but not limited to: dunes, fields, and pine savannas. [5] Within reestablished longleaf pine woodlands, A. purpurascens may be used as an indicator species due to its ability to regrow in areas previously disturbed by agricultural practices. [6]
This species tends to increase in frequency in response to understory burning, particularly within longleaf pine savannas. [7]
This plant may be grazed when young but as it ages it becomes low in quality and even dangerous for livestock because of the sharp spikelets. [3]