Aristida vagans

Family Poaceae

Threeawn Speargrass

Erect tufted perennial to 80 cm, with fine roots to 8 cm. Inflorescence open, angular. Longevity 2 - 25 years.

Flowers: Summer. Wind pollinated.

Fruit: Dry, single seeded with three branched awn mature October to June.

Seed: Dispersed by adhesion to animal fur and passing people. Awns assist seed burial.

Gallery images: seed, seedling, rootstock, resprout

Ecology

• Woodland habitat in patches and on bare open sites.
• Occasional and localised in woodland at the Australian Botanic Garden.
• May colonise bare areas.
• Some grazing by rabbits.
• Resprouts after fire.
• C4 warm season metabolism.