Purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea, Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc., n.s., 5: 145 (1835))

Family: Poaceae

Author: Nutt.

Bibliography: Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc., n.s., 5: 145 (1835)

Year: 1835

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Aristida

Vegetable: False

Observations: WC. & S. U.S.A. to Mexico, Cuba to Hispaniola

Description

Purple threeawn, known scientifically as Aristida purpurea, is a distinctive and resilient species of grass. It was first documented in the works of the American scientist Nutt. in the publication “Transactions of the American Philosophical Society,” second series, volume 5, page 145, in the year 1835. This hardy grass is a member of the Poaceae family, which encompasses many important grasses known for their ecological and agricultural significance.

Aristida purpurea is widely distributed across various regions, ranging from the western and central United States down to Mexico. Its range extends eastward to encompass Cuba and Hispaniola, showcasing its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. This species thrives in a variety of habitats, often gracing open fields, grasslands, and prairies with its presence.

One of the most striking features of Purple threeawn is its elegant appearance. The plant bears slender, wiry stems and fine, needle-like leaves that often take on a purplish hue, particularly when exposed to full sunlight. At the tips of these stems, delicate spikelets form, each adorned with three long awns, which are bristle-like appendages. The awns can vary in length and give the plant its common name due to their purplish coloration and distinctive structure.

Purple threeawn plays a vital role in its ecosystem. It contributes to soil stabilization, reducing erosion through its extensive root systems. Additionally, this grass can thrive in poor, dry soils where other plants may struggle, marking it as an invaluable species in land reclamation and restoration projects. Its presence in grasslands also provides forage for various herbivores and a habitat for numerous small fauna, further highlighting its ecological importance.

In summary, Aristida purpurea, or Purple threeawn, is a remarkable grass species well-noted for its resilience, distinct appearance, and ecological benefits. Its broad geographic distribution attests to its adaptability and vital role in diverse ecosystems from the United States to the Caribbean.

Common Names

Eng: purple 3-awn, purple threeawn grass, democrat grass, purple threeawn, wiregrass
Fra: aristide pourprée
En: Purple threeawn, Purple 3-awn, Purple threeawn grass, Democrat Grass, Wiregrass
Fr: Aristide pourprée

Synonyms

• Aristida roemeriana (Scheele)
• Aristida purpurea var. aequiramea ((Scheele) Merr.)
• Aristida filipendula (Buckley)
• Aristida purpurea var. micrantha (Vasey)
• Aristida purpurea var. berlandieri (Trin. & Rupr.)
• Aristida micrantha ((Vasey) Nash)
• Aristida purpurea var. perplexa (Allred & Valdés-Reyna)
• Aristida purpurea var. californica (Vasey)
• Aristida purpurea f. brownii ((Warnock) Allred & Valdés-Reyna)
• Aristida muhlenbergioides (E.Fourn.)
• Aristida longiseta var. hookeri ((Trin. & Rupr.) Merr.)
• Aristida berlandieri ((Trin. & Rupr.) Hitchc.)
• Aristida fasciculata var. californica ((Vasey) L.H.Dewey)
• Aristida aequiramea (Scheele)
• Aristida fasciculata var. micrantha ((Vasey) L.H.Dewey)
• Aristida purpurea var. capillarifolia (Merr.)
• Aristida purpurea var. laxiflora (Merr.)
• Aristida fasciculata var. hookeri ((Trin. & Rupr.) L.H.Dewey)
• Aristida breviseta (Buckley)
• Aristida brownii (Warnock)
• Aristida purpurea var. hookeri (Trin. & Rupr.)
• Aristida eggersii (Hitchc.)

Distribution

• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• California (native)
• Colorado (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Texas (native)
• Utah (native)
• Florida (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Soreng, R.J. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Soreng, R.J. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Soreng, R.J. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Soreng, R.J. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2016 by EOL − Stephen Hodges (cc-by-nc)

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Soreng, R.J. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Fruit

Taken Mar 30, 2016 by EOL − Stephen Hodges (cc-by-nc)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© 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/2706261)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:327975-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Aristida purpurea Nutt.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Graminoid

Growth