// SPECIES PROFILE · GRASS · NATIVE

Purple threeawn

Aristida purpurea var. purpurea

Purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea var. purpurea) is a grass in the — family. Native range includes AR, KS, OK. Hardy in zones 2b–11a.

// QUICK FACTS

Family: —
Group: grass
Native range: Native to 11 U.S. states, including AR, AZ, CA, CO, KS, LA…
USDA hardiness: Zones 2b–11a
Mature size: —
Sun: Full sun
Water: Low · xeric
Bloom: —
Wildlife value: Pollinator and wildlife support
Ecological role: native species profile

Purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea var. purpurea) — *Aristida purpurea var. purpurea* — Purple threeawn. Photo via iNaturalist — no rights reserved.

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea var. purpurea) is a grass in the — family. Native range includes AR, KS, OK. Hardy in zones 2b–11a. Low water use makes it a strong candidate for xeric and drought-conscious plantings.

Why it's on this list: native species profile. Native-range data from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN), cross-checked against iNaturalist observations. Part of Rooted Revival's regional native plant catalog — true natives for Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.

Companion Planting

[ guild · polyculture · cross-layer pairings ]

In the same native range, purple threeawn pairs naturally with: Sideoats Grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), Torrey's Rush (Juncus torreyi), Awlfruit sedge (Carex stipata), Prairie junegrass (Koeleria macrantha).