Pineland Threeawn
Scientific Name: Aristida stricta Michx.
| General Information | |
|---|---|
| Usda Symbol | ARST5 |
| Group | Monocot |
| Life Cycle | Perennial |
| Growth Habits | Graminoid |
| Native Locations | ARST5 |
Plant Guide
Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Pineland Threeawn.
Fact Sheet
Alternate Names
wiregrass
Uses
Cattle graze pineland threeawn in early spring, Spring growth becomes wiry and unpalatable during May and June, , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Pineland Threeawn.
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
Grass Family (Poaceae). Pineland threeawn is a cool-season, perennial bunch grass native to the U.S. The height is between 1-1/2 and 2-1/2 feet. The leaf blade is mostly basal; 12 to 20 inches long; narrow; rolled inward; wiry; and hairy on upper side at base. The ligule is hairy. The seedhead is a 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. Distribution: For current distribution, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.
Management
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 reduces it.
Establishment
Pineland threeawn growth starts in January in south Florida and in early March in Georgia and is rapid. The leaf blades usually grow 6 to 8 inches in 4 weeks and the seedheads appear during May and June. Pineland threeawn is a poor seed producer and a low forage producer. It tolerates shade. Occasionally short, thin rhizomes develop on plants that have been burned repeatedly. It grows on well-drained sands over finer textured subsoil and on sands covered with shallow water for part of the year. It does well on moderate to well-drained strongly acid soils. Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin) Please contact your local NRCS Field Office.
Plant Traits
Growth Requirements
| Temperature, Minimum (°F) | 7 |
|---|---|
| Adapted to Coarse Textured Soils | Yes |
| Adapted to Fine Textured Soils | No |
| Adapted to Medium Textured Soils | Yes |
| Anaerobic Tolerance | None |
| CaCO3 Tolerance | Low |
| Cold Stratification Required | No |
| Drought Tolerance | High |
| Fertility Requirement | Low |
| Fire Tolerance | High |
| Frost Free Days, Minimum | 200 |
| Hedge Tolerance | None |
| Moisture Use | Low |
| pH, Maximum | 6.5 |
| pH, Minimum | 4.0 |
| Precipitation, Maximum | 65 |
| Precipitation, Minimum | 36 |
| Root Depth, Minimum (inches) | 6 |
| Salinity Tolerance | None |
| Shade Tolerance | Tolerant |
Morphology/Physiology
| After Harvest Regrowth Rate | Slow |
|---|---|
| Toxicity | None |
| Shape and Orientation | Erect |
| Nitrogen Fixation | None |
| Resprout Ability | No |
| Active Growth Period | Spring |
| Bloat | None |
| Coppice Potential | No |
| Fall Conspicuous | No |
| Fire Resistant | No |
| Flower Color | Green |
| Flower Conspicuous | No |
| Foliage Color | Green |
| Foliage Porosity Summer | Porous |
| Foliage Porosity Winter | Porous |
| Fruit/Seed Color | Yellow |
| Fruit/Seed Conspicuous | No |
| Growth Form | Bunch |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Height, Mature (feet) | 3.9 |
| Known Allelopath | No |
| Leaf Retention | No |
| Lifespan | Short |
| Low Growing Grass | No |
| Foliage Texture | Fine |
Reproduction
| Propagated by Seed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Propagated by Sod | No |
| Propagated by Sprigs | No |
| Propagated by Tubers | No |
| Fruit/Seed Persistence | No |
| Seed per Pound | 500000 |
| Seed Spread Rate | Rapid |
| Seedling Vigor | Medium |
| Small Grain | No |
| Vegetative Spread Rate | None |
| Propagated by Corm | No |
| Propagated by Container | No |
| Propagated by Bulb | No |
| Propagated by Bare Root | No |
| Fruit/Seed Period End | Fall |
| Fruit/Seed Period Begin | Fall |
| Fruit/Seed Abundance | Low |
| Commercial Availability | No Known Source |
| Bloom Period | Fall |
| Propagated by Cuttings | No |
Suitability/Use
| Veneer Product | No |
|---|---|
| Pulpwood Product | No |
| Post Product | No |
| Palatable Human | No |
| Palatable Graze Animal | Medium |
| Palatable Browse Animal | Medium |
| Nursery Stock Product | No |
| Naval Store Product | No |
| Lumber Product | No |
| Fodder Product | No |
| Christmas Tree Product | No |
| Berry/Nut/Seed Product | No |
