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Aristida oligantha Michx.
prairie threeawn

 

Kingdom  Plantae -- Plants

Subkingdom  Tracheobionta -- Vascular plants

Superdivision  Spermatophyta -- Seed plants

Division  Magnoliophyta -- Flowering plants

Class  Liliopsida -- Monocotyledons

Subclass  Commelinidae

Order  Cyperales

Family  Poaceae -- Grass family

Genus  Aristida L. -- threeawn P

Species  Aristida oligantha Michx. -- prairie threeawn P

 

Warning: Can be mechanically injurious to livestock.

 

Alternate Names

oldfield three-awn, oldfield 3-awn

 

Uses

Prairie threeawn has little value as a forage grass.  After maturity, seeds get in the wool of sheep and in the eyes of both cattle and sheep if they graze areas with a dense stand.  This grass establishes easily under adverse conditions and protects soil against erosion until more desirable grasses take over.  It is an indicator of deteriorated range condition.

 

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

Prairie threeawn is a native, cool‑season, annual grass.  The height is between 6 and 20 inches.  The leaf blade is flat, about 1/4 inch wide, and rolls inward during hot, dry weather.  The leaf sheath is mostly basal.  The seedhead is a loose, open panicle; glumes have three awns about 1‑1/2 to 3 inches long that curve at the base.

 

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

 

Management

Range reseeding with perennial grasses is the most practical and economical way to reduce this grass and improve ranges for livestock production.

 

Establishment

Prairie threeawn growth starts in early spring from seed.  The life cycle is one month to 6 weeks.  Prairie threeawn is a good seed producer.  The seedlings are vigorous.  It grows readily on areas, such as old abandoned fields, oil‑well locations, and cattle round‑up grounds.

 

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