Plant · GBIF taxon 2706267
Southern Wiregrass
Aristida beyrichianaAlso known as Wiregrass, Beyrich Threeawn
Southern wiregrass is the keystone groundcover of the southeastern longleaf pine ecosystem, forming dense, fountain-like tufts of wiry, tightly rolled blades across the forest floor. It fuels the frequent, low-intensity surface fires that longleaf savannas depend upon, shedding highly flammable foliage that carries flame across the landscape without harming mature trees. Plants reproduce almost exclusively via flowering triggered by warm-season fires, rarely setting seed unless burned between late spring and mid-summer.
GrassFire-AdaptedNative
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil minerals
Predators
- Gopher Tortoise
- White-tailed Deer
- Cattle
ThreatsFire suppression, agriculture, forestry conversion, and soil tilling
HabitatsLongleaf pine flatwoods, sandhills, and coastal plain savannas
Life spanPerennial (individual clumps can survive for decades)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyPoaceae
- SpeciesAristida beyrichiana
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Seasonal Timing: Visit recently burned savannas in late summer to observe flowering stalks.
- Habitat Clues: Look in open, sun-drenched pine flatwoods with sandy, well-drained soils.
- Tread Lightly: Avoid driving vehicles over clumps, as deep soil disturbance destroys mature root crowns.
Ecological Partner (c) Katja Schulz, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Frequent Companion Judy Gallagher / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Same Genus (c) Steve Matson, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Steve Matson · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved · cc0
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