Aristida arizonica, commonly known as Arizona threeawn, is a perennial grass native to desert grasslands and open, rocky areas in the southwestern United States, particularly in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and northern Mexico. It typically grows up to 2 feet tall and is characterized by its fine, wiry leaves and distinctive three-parted awns that appear on its seed heads. The plant exhibits a bluish-green hue during the growing season, transitioning to a straw color in the dormant season. Arizona threeawn flowers from late spring to fall, with the most prolific blooming occurring in the summer months. The flowers are not particularly showy but are interesting in their unique structure.

Arizona threeawn is valued for its ability to thrive in harsh, arid conditions, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and naturalistic plantings in desert regions. Its deep root system helps stabilize soil and prevent erosion, which is why it is often used in revegetation projects. This grass requires minimal maintenance, needing only full sun and well-drained, sandy soils to prosper. It is highly drought-tolerant, rarely requiring supplemental watering once established. While it has no major disease or pest issues, it can become a nuisance if allowed to self-seed prolifically, potentially outcompeting other plants in the area.CC BY-SA 4.0