Native Plants
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.
Strickland, Sam C.
Aristida purpurea
Aristida purpurea Nutt.
Purple Threeawn, Purple 3-awn, Purple Three-awn, Red Threeawn
Poaceae (Grass Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: arpu9
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)
Often in large bunches, the culms and leaf blades of this grass rise 12-20 in. in height. The seedhead is narrow and nodding with lax, purplish branches. Three long, bristles occur from each flower.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Linear
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Low tufted culms 25-70 cm. tall.
Autumn Foliage: yes
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: PurpleBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: AR , AZ , CA , CO , IA , ID , IL , KS , LA , MN , MT , NC , ND , NE , NM , NV , OK , OR , SC , SD , TX , UT , WA , WYCanada: AB , SK
Native Distribution: Throughout Texas north to Utah, Colorado and Kansas, south to northern Mexico.
Native Habitat: Sun, open ground, well-drained sand, clay, loam, limestone; Overgrazed ranges, disturbed roadsides, abandoned fields.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Dry, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: With a gentle breeze passing through purple three-awn inflorescences (grass flowers), a dreamer can imagine that the earth has purple hair. This low-growing prairie grass is good for erosion control on banks and provides a root matrix for many wildflower species. Purple three-awn is an early successional species.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Seldom grazed. The seeds are food for some song birds, like the Junco. The plants provide nesting materials or habitat for some fur and game animals.Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Interesting Foliage: yes
Attracts: Butterflies
Larval Host: Skippers, Satyrs
Deer Resistant: High
Value to Beneficial Insects
Provides Nesting Materials/Structure for Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Find Seed or Plants
Order seed of this species from Native American Seed and help support the Wildflower Center.
Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.
Mr. Smarty Plants says
Plants to stop erosion in Arizona
January 17, 2009
I'm looking for a plant to stop erosion; I have big wash outs that are starting to erode my yard so I guess I'm looking for deep rooting plants. I live south of Tucson, Arizona. If you can advise me...
view the full question and answer
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Nueces River Authority - Uvalde, TX
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR
Jacob's Well Natural Area - Wimberley, TX
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-89 Collected 2003-05-13 in Travis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallySearch More Titles in Bibliography
Additional resources
USDA: Find Aristida purpurea in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Aristida purpurea in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Aristida purpurea
Metadata
Record Modified: 2019-03-28Research By: TWC Staff