Family: Poaceae
Author: (Walter) Chapm.
Bibliography: Fl. South. U.S.: 560 (1860)
Year: 1860
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Triplasis
Vegetable: False
Observations: SE. Canada to U.S.A., SE. Mexico to C. America
Description
Purple sand grass, scientifically known as Triplasis purpurea, is a notable member of the Poaceae family, which encompasses a wide variety of grass species. This delicate and attractive grass captured the attention of botanists as early as 1860, with detailed observations recorded in the flora of the southern United States, as indicated in bibliographic references such as Fl. South. U.S.: 560 by Chapm. This early documentation underscores its botanical significance and geographical spread.
This species is native to a broad geographical range, extending from southeastern Canada down through the United States, and reaching as far south as southeastern Mexico and Central America. Such a distribution highlights the plant’s adaptability to various environments across North America.
Purple sand grass can be identified by its distinctive purplish hue, adding an aesthetic appeal to dunes, sandy fields, and other coastal habitats where it predominantly thrives. Its presence in these regions plays a crucial role in stabilizing sand dunes and preventing soil erosion, showcasing its ecological importance beyond mere aesthetic value.
As a member of the Poaceae family, Triplasis purpurea shares common characteristics with other grasses, including a similar life cycle and growth pattern. However, its unique coloration and habitat preferences make it a distinctive species within its family. For botanists and plant enthusiasts, purple sand grass serves as a perfect example of the diversity and ecological adaptability inherent within the Poaceae family.
Common Names
Eng: purple sand grass, purple sandgrass
Fra: triplasis pourpré
En: Purple sand grass, Purple sandgrass
Fr: Triplasis pourpré
Synonyms
- Festuca purpurea ((Walter) F.Muell.)
- Diplocea barbata (Raf.)
- Triplasis caribensis ((R.W.Pohl) Beetle)
- Triplasis sparsiflora (Chapm.)
- Glyceria brevifolia ((Muhl.) Schult.)
- Sieglingia purpurea ((Walter) Kuntze)
- Uralepis aristulata (Nutt.)
- Triplasis purpurea var. caribensis (R.W.Pohl)
- Aira purpurea (Walter)
- Tricuspis purpurea ((Walter) A.Gray)
- Triodia purpurea ((Walter) Smyth)
- Triplasis intermedia (Nash)
- Triplasis floridana (Gand.)
- Panicularia brevifolia ((Muhl.) Porter)
- Merisachne drummondii (Steud.)
- Triplasis glabra (Gand.)
- Uralepis purpurea ((Walter) Nutt.)
- Festuca brevifolia (Muhl.)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Delaware (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maine (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- New York (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Virginia (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
Additional Images
Fruit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
Habit
Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − John Hilty (cc-by-nc)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2706386)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1009150-2)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Triplasis purpurea (Walter) Chapm.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Graminoid
