Aristida stricta

Common Names

Pineland Threeawn, Wiregrass, Carolina Wiregrass

Summary

Aristida stricta is a North American perennial grass native to the Southeastern United States, notably in pine barrens and sandy coastal plain habitats. It forms dense tufts with erect, unbranched culms 60–120 cm tall; leaves are basal, 15–50 cm long and 0.3–1 mm wide, yellow-green and stiff, with scabrous adaxial surfaces and pubescent or villous abaxial textures. Inflorescences are open panicles 20–35 cm long bearing spikelets that are appressed, with light brown or tan glumes; awns range 7–22 mm and caryopses are 4–5 mm chestnut brown, giving a distinctive wiregrass appearance with three prominent awns. Cultivation and uses: prefers full sun and well-drained sandy, highly acidic pineland soils, tolerating dry to moist conditions; fire management is essential to stimulate flowering and seed production, with rapid regeneration after fire from underground meristems. Propagation is by seeds or division, and hardiness includes USDA zones 8a–10b for some distributions. Used as forage for livestock, as an ornamental warm-season grass, and for soil stabilization and erosion control in landscape and restoration plantings; supports wildlife by providing cover and seeds for birds and other animals, and responds to periodic summer burns to maintain habitat.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

1-4 feet

Spread

12-36 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 8A-10B

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained sandy soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained sandy soils

Soil pH

Acidic (pH below 6.8)

Bloom Color

Brown

Bloom Time

Spring, Summer, and Fall

Foliage Color

Green to yellow-green foliage, buffy in fall/winter, brown with age

Fall Foliage Color

Golden

Leaf Lifecycle

Other

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts birds