Aristida stricta

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Wiregrass

Poaceae (Gramineae)

Also known as Aristida var. stricta, Aristida beyrichicana

Plant Specifics

Form:Grass
Size:1-4 ft tall by 1-3 ft wide
Life Span:Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:NA
Fruit Color:Orange
Noted for:Interesting foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:Restoration areas. Naturalistic landscapes.
Propagation:Typically by plugs. An issue is that availability is very limited. Also by seed, but requires a burn in the early growing season to produce viable seed.
Availability:Native nurseries, Specialty providers
Light: Full Sun,  Part Shade
Moisture Tolerance:
always floodedextremely dry
 (Somewhat moist, no flooding ----- to ----- Short very dry periods)
Moisture Tolerance: Somewhat moist, no flooding ----- to ----- Short very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:Not salt tolerant of inundation by salty or brackish water.
Salt Spray/ Salty Soil Tolerance:Low/no tolerance of salty wind or direct salt spray
Soil or other substrate:Sand
Soil pH:Acidic

Ecology

Wildlife:
 

Small birds consume seeds.  

Insects:

Wind pollinated.

Native Habitats:Open seepage areas, forested seepage areas, flatwoods, sandhill, clayhill, scrub, coastal uplands

Distribution and Planting Zones

Natural Range in Florida
USDA Zones

Suitable to grow in:
10A 10B 8A 8B 9A 9B 

USDA zones are based on minimum winter temperatures

Comments

Ethnobotany:This was historically one of the major flatwoods and sandhill groundcover species. It was of value to ranchers if burned so that new growth was palatable to cattle. Extremely important to maintenance of natural landscapes and wildlife.
General Comments:

Typically not used in landscape settings. However, if appropriate management can be provided (fire), then seed-bearing plants have considerable landscape value; non-seed-bearing plants are good groundcover.

For an interesting article on this plant see the Florida Wildflower Foundation blog.