Arrowfeather Threeawn
Aristida purpurascens
- Native to:
- Belize, Canada, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, United States
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Aristida
- Species:
- Aristida purpurascens
- USDA Symbol:
- ARPU8
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Dotted Skipper (Hesperia attalus), Meske's Skipper (Hesperia meskei)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- tan, bronze
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from crown following fire. Common in fire-maintained prairies and savannas, though does not require fire for reproduction.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny habitats
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with light and warm temperatures (20-25°C) following cold stratification. Surface sow or lightly cover.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: None required
Establishment: The protocol does not provide specific information on propagation source, pre-treatment, establishment protocol, temperature, germination rate, or germination time for Alopecurus alpinus.
Source: npn.rngr.net