Aristida wrightii Nash, wright threeawn 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season , weak, short-lived, perennial bunch grass. 
Height: 10 to 20 inches. 
Leaf blade: Rolled ; threadlike ; tufted ; twisting. 
Leaf sheath: Mostly basal; rounded; open. 
Ligule: Row of short hair. 
Seedhead: Narrow panicle 6 to 8 inches long, purplish at 
first, turning straw yellow after maturity; seed covered 
with stiff barbs. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Wright threeawn is one of the first warm-season grasses to 
start growing in spring. Seedheads appear within 30 days after 
growth starts. Becomes dormant in summer; greens up again in 
early fall. Reproduces mostly from seed and is a prolific seed 
producer. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Throughout western two-thirds of Oklahoma, southern Kansas, 
Texas, west to California, and south to central Mexico. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Grows best on calcareous to neutral sandy loam soils but also 
grows on clay loams. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Wright threeawn is grazed readily early in spring. After seed- 
heads form, it becomes less palatable. Cattle and horses graze it 
more readily than sheep and goats. If it greens up at base late in 
fall after other warm-season grasses have matured, cattle and 
horses graze it again. 
This grass is never a key management species, and most ranch- 
ers want to get rid of it. It can be killed by close grazing in 
spring. Summer grazing deferments allow more vigorous warm- 
season grasses associated with it to take over. Seed collect in the 
wool and mohair of sheep and goats that graze this grass during 
summer. 
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