Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Red Three Awn (Aristida purpurea var. longiseta) is a native grass that grows in southern and central California. It is fast growing and moderately long-lived. It grows in an upright form to a height of 1.4 feet, with active growth during the fall, winter and spring. Flowers are yellow and bloom in the early spring. Leaves are medium green and deciduous. It tends to grow in sandy rocky soils, slopes and plains, at elevations from 1000-5200 feet.

Plant type

Grass

Size

1 ft Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Fast

Dormancy

Winter Deciduous

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Color

Yellow

Flowering season

Spring

Sun

Full Sun

Water

Low, Very Low

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Does not grow well in clay soils.

Site type

Sandy rocky soils, slopes, plains

Plant communities

Creosote Bush Scrub