Aristida purpurascens Poir., arrowfeather threeawn 
DESCRIPTION 
Cool-season , weak, perennial bunch grass. 
Height: 1-1/2 to 2 feet. 
Leaf blade: Flat; narrow; 4 to 12 inches long; tends to lie 
down and curl into ringlets, especially as plant matures. 
Seedhead: Narrow panicle sometimes lax and nodding, one- 
third to one-half the height of plant; awns about 1/2 to 
3/4 inch long, equal length, drop off a few weeks after seed 
ripen. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Growth starts about 2 weeks before that of most warm-season 
grasses. Usually produces a good seed crop in June, then becomes 
dormant. Greens up in fall if moisture is available. Barblike hairs 
on base of seed help to plant them. Seedstalks do not deteriorate 
readily unless they are burned or broken off. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Throughout most of states east of Great Plains. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Grows best on sandy soils. Tolerates moderate shade. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Arrowfeather threeawn is grazed by cattle a few weeks in 
early spring. It produces low-quality forage the rest of year. 
Because this grass is an increaser on all sites, it should be man- 
aged to reduce it from the plant community by close grazing 2 to 
3 weeks in spring j ust before seedheads appear. Deferred grazing 
that allows warm-season grasses to grow and mature later in sea- 
son will convert the range through natural plant succession to 
warm-season grasses. Withstands annual burning. 
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