Warning: This species may be mechanically injurious to livestock.

Alternate Name

arrowfeather

Uses

Cattle graze arrowfeather threeawn a few weeks in the early spring. It produces low‑quality forage the rest of year.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status, such as, state noxious status and wetland indicator values.

Description

Arrowfeather threeawn is a native, cool‑season, weak, perennial bunch grass. The height is between 1‑1/2 and 2 feet. The leaf blade is flat; narrow; 4 to 12 inches long; tends to lie down and curl into ringlets, especially as plant matures. The seedhead is a narrow panicle that is sometimes lax and nodding, and one-third to one-half the height of the plant. The awns are about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long, equal length, and drop off a few weeks after the seeds ripen.

Distribution: For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

Management

Because this grass increases on all sites, it can be managed to reduce it from the plant community by close grazing 2 to 3 weeks in the spring just before seedheads appear. Deferred grazing that allows warm season grasses to grow and mature later in the season will convert the range through natural plant succession to warm‑season grasses. It withstands annual burning.

Establishment

Arrowfeather threeawn growth starts about 2 weeks before that of most warm‑season grasses. It usually produces a good seed crop in June, then becomes dormant. It greens up in the fall if moisture is available. Barblike hairs on the base of the seed help to plant them. Seedstalks do not deteriorate readily unless they are burned or broken off. It grows best on sandy soils and tolerates moderate shade.

Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin)

Please contact your local NRCS Field Office.

Reference

Leithead, H.L., L.L. Yarlett, & T.N. Shiflett. 1976. 100 native forage grasses in 11 southern states. USDA SCS Agriculture Handbook No. 389, Washington, DC.

Prepared By & Species Coordinator:

Percy Magee

USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Edited: 13may02 ahv; jul03 ahv; 20sep05 jsp; 070112 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS Web site<https://plants.usda.gov> or the Plant Materials Program Web site <https://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov>

Attribution: U.S. Department of Agriculture