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Arrow-Feather

Aristida purpurascens

Last reviewed: August 2026

Arrow-Feather (Aristida purpurascens)
Photo: (c) aarongunnar, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by aarongunnar

Toxicity unknown

Arrow-Feather (Aristida purpurascens) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

12"–36" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, AR, CT, DE and 26 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Southwestern TablelandsCentral Great PlainsGreat PlainsCross TimbersTexas Blackland PrairiesEast Central Texas PlainsWestern Gulf Coastal PlainSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaCentral Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsNortheastern Coastal ZoneMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainSouthern Coastal PlainSouthern Florida Coastal PlainAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

Purple three-awn grass is a native bunch grass that forms compact clumps with fine-textured foliage. It produces delicate purple-tinged seed heads from summer through fall and thrives in sunny, dry conditions with minimal care.

In an HOA neighborhood

Arrow-Feather takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Loose, informal growth habit appears wild
  • Seed heads can look unkempt to conventional standards
  • May be mistaken for weedy grass by neighbors

Wildlife value

The seeds provide food for songbirds and small wildlife. As a native grass, it supports various insects and contributes to local ecosystem health.

Common questions

How much sun does Arrow-Feather need?
Arrow-Feather grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Arrow-Feather bloom?
Arrow-Feather blooms in July, August, and September.
Where is Arrow-Feather native?
Arrow-Feather (Aristida purpurascens) is native to AL, AR, CT, DE and 26 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Arrow-Feather HOA-friendly?
Arrow-Feather takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Arrow-Feather? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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