Aristida stricta Michx., pineland threeawn 
DESCRIPTION 
Cool-season, perennial bunch grass. 
Height : 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 feet. 
Leaf blade: Mostly basal; 12 to 20 inches long; narrow; 
rolled inward; wiry ; hairy on upper side at base. 
Ligule : Hairy. 
Seedhead : Slender panicle 10 to 12 inches long; glumes have 
3 awns about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, one a little longer than 
other two. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Growth starts in January in south Florida and in early March 
in Georgia and is rapid. Leaf blades usually grow 6 to 8 inches in 
4 weeks. Seedheads appear during May and June. Pineland three- 
awn is a poor seed producer and a low forage producer. It toler- 
ates shade. Occasionally short, thin rhizomes develop on plants 
that have been burned repeatedly. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Along Atlantic coast from North Carolina to Florida; and in 
southern half of Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Grows on well-drained sands over finer textured subsoil and on 
sands covered with shallow water for part of year. Does well on 
moderate to well-drained strongly acid soils. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Pineland threeawn is grazed by cattle in early spring. Spring 
growth becomes wiry and unpalatable during May and June. 
This grass increases slowly on areas burned annually and 
grazed all year. It decreases on areas grazed heavily in early 
spring and on which grazing is deferred during summer and 
early fall. Double chopping with heavy rolling cutters in early 
spring easily kills it. 
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