Florida threeawn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Florida threeawn |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Aristida
|
| Species: |
rhizomophora
|
Aristida rhizomophora is a special type of grass found only in Florida, United States. It's often called Florida threeawn because of its unique seed structure. This grass is an important part of Florida's wet natural areas.
Contents
Florida Threeawn: A Special Grass
What Does Florida Threeawn Look Like?
This grass is a perennial, meaning it lives for more than two years. It grows from a thick, scaly underground stem called a rhizome. These rhizomes help the grass spread and form a dense mat, or "sod."
The stems of the Florida threeawn can grow quite tall. They reach up to 80 centimeters (about 2.5 feet) to one meter (about 3 feet) high. These stems usually stand straight up and don't have many leaves. Most of the leaves grow near the bottom of the plant.
The leaves themselves can be quite long, up to 55 centimeters (about 21 inches). They can be flat or folded. Their color ranges from light green to yellowish, and they are smooth without any hairs.
Flowers and Seeds
The flowers of the Florida threeawn grow in a narrow, panicle-shaped cluster. This cluster has branches that are close to the main stem or spread slightly upwards. Each tiny flower part, called a spikelet, holds just one flower.
A very special feature of this grass is its "awns." Awning are stiff, bristle-like parts that grow from the seeds. For the Florida threeawn, these awns can be up to 3 centimeters (about 1.2 inches) long. They give the grass its common name, "threeawn."
Where Does Florida Threeawn Grow?
This unique grass loves wet places. You can find it in areas like wet flatwoods, which are forests with flat, often damp ground. It also grows along the edges of ponds.
Sometimes, you might spot Florida threeawn in the ecotone between flatwoods and wet prairie habitats. An ecotone is a special area where two different types of habitats meet and blend together.
