| Aristida dichotoma |
| Three-awned grass |
Key Characteristics
Small tufted annual grass (20-40 cm) of dry sandy soil; spikelets with three awns, the middle awn loosely spiraled at base, 4-8 mm; lemma 5-7 mm.
Status and Rank
- State Status: X - Presumed extirpated (legally 'threatened' if rediscovered)
- State Rank: SX - Presumed extirpated
- Global Rank: G5 - Secure
Occurrences
| County Name | Number of Occurrences | Year Last Observed |
|---|---|---|
| Kalamazoo | 1 | 1935 |
![Occurrence Map for [Sname]](/mnfi/maptmp/NFR_Distributions12590201972156.png)
Information is summarized from MNFI's database of rare species and community occurrences. Data may not reflect true distribution since much of the state has not been thoroughly surveyed.
Habitat
Known from a single collection in Kalamazoo County, where it was collected in 1935 from "sterile sandy soil". Elsewhere within its broad U.S. range, it occurs in dry, sandy soil.
Natural Community Types
Associated Plants
No collection data are available from the Michigan collection; though this rare grass may have occurred with such dry-site species as poverty grass, little bluestem, old-field goldenrod, Pennsylvania sedge, ground juniper, shining sumac, wild plum, and New Jersey tea.
Management
Requires early successional habitat and local disturbance. Fire may also be important in maintaining habitat.
General Survey Guidelines
Random meander search covers areas that appear likely to have rare taxa, based on habitat and the judgement of the investigator.
Survey Methods
- Meander search
Survey Period: From fourth week of August to first week of October
References
Survey References
- Elzinga, C.L., D.W. Salzer, and J.W. Willoughby. 1998. Measuring and Monitoring Plant Populations. The Nature Conservancy and Bureau of Land Management, Denver. BLM Technical Reference 1730-1. 477pp.
- Goff, G.F., G.A. Dawson, and J.J. Rochow. 1982. Site examination for Threatened and Endangered plant species. Environmental Management 6(4): 307-316
- Nelson, J.R. 1984. Rare Plant Field Survey Guidelines. In: J.P. Smith and R. York. Inventory of rare and endangered vascular plants of California. 3rd Ed. California Native Plant Society, Berkeley. 174pp.
- Nelson, J.R. 1986. Rare Plant Surveys: Techniques For Impact Assessment. Natural Areas Journal 5(3):18-30.
- Nelson, J.R. 1987. Rare Plant Surveys: Techniques for Impact Assessment. In: Conservation and management of rare and endangered plants. Ed. T.S. Elias. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 8pp.
Technical References
- Braun, E. L. 1967. The Monocotyledoneae of Ohio. Cat-tails to Orchids. Ohio State University Press, Columbus. 464pp.
- Dore, W.G. and J. McNeill. 1980. Grasses of Ontario. Agriculture Canada Research Monographs 26: 566pp.
- Flora of North America Editorial Committee. 2003. Flora of North America, North of Mexico. Volume 25: Magnoliaphyta: Commelinidae (in part): Poaceae, part 2. Oxford University Press, New York. 783pp.
- Voss, E. G. 1972. Michigan Flora. Part I. Gymnosperms and Monocots. Bulletin of the Cranbrook Institute of Science and University of Michigan Herbarium. 488pp.