California Invasive Species
In California, they’re many native grasses as well as invasive grasses. Native and Invasive species play a big role in our ecosystem. Native species make it so we don't have to use as many fertilizers, use less water, keep the air around you cleaner, provide shelter and food for wildlife etc. Invasive grass species are bad because for one they are obviously not native to the area and can colonize habitats and exclude the native plants. Did you know a Dandelion is an invasive species? Well it is it from Europe but can be commonly found growing in other parts of the world like our front lawn.The dandelion shows just how much we see invasive species around us and don't realize it.
Aristida Purpurea is one of the many native grasses in California
and is most commonly known as the Purple Three Awn. Aristida Purpurea can be found across the western two thirds of the US, most of southern Canada and parts of northern Mexico. It is an annual perennial and is at the least concerned category regarding invasive species.
When this grass is grown, it can reach up to 3 feet in height and shows a brown to reddish purple color. Livestock usually do not and should not feed on this grass but if they do it won’t hurt them. This is because the grass is sharp and has low protein content. In the Southwest, this grass is considered good green forage while the plants remain green. In Arizona and New Mexico its abundance and fair palatability make purple threeawn a highly important source of forage. In northern areas where more palatable forage grasses are available, threeawn is considered weedy with little value. Purple threeawn is very drought tolerant and is generally adapted to sites receiving 6 inches or more annual precipitation. There are no pests or potential problems documented for this species yet.
Overall Purple threeawn provides some cover to small mammals and reptiles in sparsely vegetated desert areas. Native bees will make nests in the root structure. It is a very pretty grass that is not too hard to maintain I would love to have it in my yard.
Aristida Purpurea is one of the many native grasses in California
and is most commonly known as the Purple Three Awn. Aristida Purpurea can be found across the western two thirds of the US, most of southern Canada and parts of northern Mexico. It is an annual perennial and is at the least concerned category regarding invasive species.
When this grass is grown, it can reach up to 3 feet in height and shows a brown to reddish purple color. Livestock usually do not and should not feed on this grass but if they do it won’t hurt them. This is because the grass is sharp and has low protein content. In the Southwest, this grass is considered good green forage while the plants remain green. In Arizona and New Mexico its abundance and fair palatability make purple threeawn a highly important source of forage. In northern areas where more palatable forage grasses are available, threeawn is considered weedy with little value. Purple threeawn is very drought tolerant and is generally adapted to sites receiving 6 inches or more annual precipitation. There are no pests or potential problems documented for this species yet.
Overall Purple threeawn provides some cover to small mammals and reptiles in sparsely vegetated desert areas. Native bees will make nests in the root structure. It is a very pretty grass that is not too hard to maintain I would love to have it in my yard.