| Author | Chapman | |
| Distribution | Southern outer Coastal Plain only. Added to the state flora in 1999 by Richard LeBlond, and so far known only in Brunswick, Columbus, Onslow, and Pender counties.
Coastal Plain, southwestern GA to central FL and southern MS; disjunct to southeastern SC and southeastern NC.
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| Abundance | Rare and local. The NCNHP database lists 8 records, all extant. This is a State Endangered species. | |
| Habitat | Mesic to wet Longleaf Pine savannas, seepages with pitcher plants. |
| Phenology | Flowering and fruiting August-October. | |
| Identification | This species resembles A. virgata, in that the central awn is about twice as thick as the lateral awns. It differs in that most nodes of the inflorescence have only 1-2 spikelets (vs. 3 or more in A. virgata), thus giving it a sparser look. Both species may occur together! | |
| Taxonomic Comments | None
The genus Aristida is most notable for the 3 hairlike awns which project from each floret. The central awn is almost always thicker than the other 2 awns. The awns may stand erect, especially during the early flowering period, but in most species eventually are bent parallel to the ground. In some species, only the central awn is bent, while the other 2 remain erect. In some species, all awns are the same length, while in other species the central awn is distinctly longer. The awns have tiny barbs which catch onto hair and fur, and florets will even hitch a ride up the inside of your pants! | |
| Other Common Name(s) | Chapman's Three-awn | |
| State Rank | S1S2 | |
| Global Rank | G3G4 | |
| State Status | E | |
| US Status | | |
| USACE-agcp | FAC link |
| USACE-emp | | |
