Aristida lanosa Muhl. ex Elliott

Woolly Sheath Three Awn

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Woolly Sheath Three Awn is a native herbaceous perennial in the Grass family (Poaceae). It can be found throughout much of Alabama, but is most common in the southern half of the state. Woolly Sheath Three Awn occurs in dry, often sandy habitats such as on roadsides, in old fields, in pine woodlands, and in disturbed habitats. It is a perennial with a fibrous root system. It grows 2-5 feet in height from unbranched culms. The base of the culm is sometimes thickened. Leaves are cauline, alternate, linear, with entire margins. The leaves have a sheath that is longer than the internodes and is lanose-floccose pubescent. The leaf blades are flat and glabrous. Flowers are produced in terminal panicles with 4-12 spikelets per branch. Spikelets have three ascending or divergent awns that are twisted or straight at the base. The lateral awns are at least half the length of the central awn. The fruit is a grain. Woolly Sheath Three Awn is a common but easily over looked species.—A. Diamond

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Native

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