Purple Three-awn

Purple threeawn grows as a bunch grass in the alkaline soils found on Parashant.

NPS/ Mark Draper

This short lived native bunch grass may reach up to 24 inches tall in years when water is plentiful. The leaves are very narrow and rolled and the spikelets display a reddish purple color. A twisted column of stiff bristle like appendages called awns divides into three giving the purple three-awn its name.

In most of the southwest purple three-awn is not the most palatable of foraging grasses. However, since most grasses struggle to survive in hot temperatures and alkaline soils, purple three-awn is a highly important source of forge on the monument due to its abundance.

In addition to providing forage, this plant provides cover to small mammals and reptiles in sparsely vegetated desert areas and the root structure is used by native bees for making nests.

 

Purple three-awn develops spikelets that are bristle-like making this grass unpopular for foraging among animals.

NPS/ Mark Draper