Aristida tuberculosa Nutt.

Seaside Three Awn; Seabeach Needlegrass

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Seaside Three Awn is a native annual in the Grass family (Poaceae). It occurs in the southern third of Alabama. Seaside Three Awn grows on dunes and in sand hills. It requires bare sandy soil for reproduction. Seaside Three Awn grows about twelve inches tall. It branches near the top. The leaves are inrolled (involute), a trait that helps prevent water loss. The fruit is relatively large for the genus, and has three stiff hair-like awns at its summit. The three awns are coiled at the base. The awns respond to changes in humidity by coiling and uncoiling, driving the seed into the ground like a drill.

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Native G5 (Global Rank)

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