Purple Threeawn
Aristida purpurea

Family: Poaceae

There are several varieties of this species (some of those varieties intergrade) and some of them are very distinct. The var. purpurea is the most common in the trade. Plants reseed readily. Small, perennial, upright bunch grass growing to about 2’ tall. The flower glumes often assumes a light brown to reddish-purple color.

Full sun best, more robust on irrigation but will exist without additional once established (may be less robust and have shorter growing season depending on rainfall). Great pioneer plant for establishing soils. One of the toughest of our native grasses for the low desert.

This is not considered to be a good graze for livestock because the awns are sharp and the protein content of the grass is low.

Aristida is from the Latin arista for awn, while purpurea is Latin for purple. This cosmopolitan genus comprises 306 species.

Arid-growing species found on rocky or sandy plains and slopes, found commonly along roadsides from 1,000-7,000 ft.

Photo by Mike Plagens, iNaturalist
Aristida purpurea on SEINET