Status:
valid
Authors:
Domin
Source:
wcs
Year:
1915
Citation Micro:
Biblioth. Bot. 20(85): 344 (1915)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000848640
Common Names
- Aristida caput-medusae
- Medusahead Three-awn Grass
- Medusahead Three-awned Grass
Description
Aristida caput-medusae (also called Medusa's Head Three-Awn, among many other common names) is a species of grass native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is a perennial grass with a tufted habit and grows to a height of 0.3–0.6 m. It is found in dry, sandy soils, often in calcareous soils.
Uses & Benefits
Aristida caput-medusae is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and can be used to create a low-maintenance lawn. It is also used as a cover crop and for erosion control.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Aristida caput-medusae has a small, yellow flower with three petals. Its seeds are small, brown and oval-shaped. The seedlings are thin and grass-like.
Cultivation and Propagation
Aristida caput-medusae is a warm-season grass native to the Mediterranean region. It is a low-growing, clumping grass that grows up to 12 inches tall. It is drought-tolerant and can tolerate a wide range of soils. It can be propagated by seed or division. Seeds should be sown in spring or early summer in well-drained soil. Division can be done in spring or early summer. The clumps should be divided and replanted in the same area.
Where to Find Aristida caput-medusae
Aristida caput-medusae can be found in the United States, Mexico, and Central America.
Aristida caput-medusae FAQ
What is the scientific name of Aristida caput-medusae?
Aristida caput-medusae
What is the common name of Aristida caput-medusae?
Medusa's head threeawn
What type of plant is Aristida caput-medusae?
Grass
Species in the Aristida genus
Aristida abnormis,
Aristida achalensis,
Aristida acuta,
Aristida adoensis,
Aristida adscensionis,
Aristida aemulans,
Aristida aequiglumis,
Aristida alpina,
Aristida amazonensis,
Aristida ambongensis,
Aristida amplexifolia,
Aristida anaclasta,
Aristida anisochaeta,
Aristida annamensis,
Aristida annua,
Aristida anthoxanthoides,
Aristida antoniana,
Aristida appressa,
Aristida arida,
Aristida arizonica,
Aristida arubensis,
Aristida asplundii,
Aristida australis,
Aristida balansae,
Aristida barbicollis,
Aristida basiramea,
Aristida batangensis,
Aristida behriana,
Aristida benthamii,
Aristida beyrichiana,
Aristida biglandulosa,
Aristida bipartita,
Aristida bissei,
Aristida blakei,
Aristida boninensis,
Aristida brainii,
Aristida brasiliensis,
Aristida brevissima,
Aristida brittonorum,
Aristida burbidgeae,
Aristida burraensis,
Aristida calcicola,
Aristida californica,
Aristida calycina,
Aristida capillacea,
Aristida capillifolia,
Aristida caput-medusae,
Aristida chapadensis,
Aristida chaseae,
Aristida chiclayensis,
Species in the Poaceae family
Achnatherum pekinense,
Achnatherum pubicalyx,
Achnatherum sibiricum,
Achnatherum turcomanicum,
Achnatherum brandisii,
Achnatherum bromoides,
Achnatherum calamagrostis,
Achnatherum confusum,
Achnatherum inebrians,
Achnatherum jacquemontii,
Achnatherum virescens,
Achnatherum paradoxum,
Achnatherum nakaii,
Achnatherum pelliotii,
Achnatherum haussknechtii,
Achnatherum mandavillei,
Achnatherum pilosum,
Achnatherum parviflorum,
Achnatherum staintonii,
Aciachne acicularis,
Aciachne flagellifera,
Aciachne pulvinata,
Acidosasa breviclavata,
Acidosasa brilletii,
Acidosasa chinensis,
Acidosasa edulis,
Acidosasa glauca,
Acidosasa guangxiensis,
Acidosasa lingchuanensis,
Acidosasa nanunica,
Acidosasa notata,
Acidosasa purpurea,
Acidosasa venusta,
Acidosasa carinata,
Acostia gracilis,
Acrachne henrardiana,
Acrachne perrieri,
Acrachne racemosa,
Acritochaete volkensii,
Acroceras amplectens,
Acroceras attenuatum,
Acroceras boivinii,
Acroceras bosseri,
Acroceras calcicola,
Acroceras chaseae,
Acroceras diffusum,
Acroceras elegans,
Acroceras excavatum,
Acroceras fluminense,
Acroceras gabunense,
References
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:389304-1: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].