Share

Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    

Aristida stricta (Pineland threeawn)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Aristida stricta Michx.

Pineland threeawn, Wiregrass

Poaceae (Grass Family)

USDA Symbol: ARST5

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

This wiry, clumping grass grows to 2 feet tall and is the principal grass found in Southeastern Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) savannahs from Mississippi eastward. It is fire-dependent, setting seed only after being burned. In the garden, it maintains a tidy shape.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Retention: Semi-evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Leaf: Dark green
Flower:
Fruit: Yellow. Fruits produced only after autumn fires.
Size Class: 1-3 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Brown
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AL , FL , GA , MS , NC , SC
Native Distribution: North Carolina to Mississippi.
Native Habitat: Sandy areas, pine savannah, moist prairies, and coastal plains. The predominant grass in Longleaf Pine Savannah.
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low , Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry , Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
Drought Tolerance: Low , Medium
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Highly acidic, poor, sandy, pineland soils.
Conditions Comments: Typically grows in fast-draining sands of pinelands, but can tolerate seasonal flooding.

Benefit

Use Ornamental: A tidy, well-behaved clumping grass for Southeastern gardens.
Use Wildlife: Bachmans Sparrows eat the seeds. Deer browse the leaves.
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: No

Propagation

Propagation Material: Root Division , Seeds
Seed Collection: Seeds produced only after autumn fires, so can only be collected after this happens.
Maintenance: Requires periodic fall burns to produce seed.

Bibliography

Bibref 996 - Gardening with Native Plants of the South (1994) Wasowski, Sally and Andy Wasowski

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Aristida stricta in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Aristida stricta in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Aristida stricta

Metadata

Record Modified: 2010-05-04
Research By:

Go back