Aristida divaricata, commonly known as Poverty Threeawn, is a perennial grass that is native to a variety of habitats including prairies, plains, and open woodlands from the central United States to Guatemala. It typically forms dense clumps of unbranched, wiry stems that can reach up to 28 inches in height. The leaves are mostly basal, narrow, and roll inward along the edges. The inflorescences are sparse and consist of a wide, flat array of spikelets that disarticulate easily, each bearing a single grain with a twisted tip and three distinctive awns up to 1 inch long, which aid in seed dispersal by catching onto passing animals or being blown by the wind.

Poverty Threeawn is valued for its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in poor soils, making it a suitable choice for xeriscaping and restoration projects in arid regions. It is also used for erosion control due to its clumping growth habit. In cultivation, it requires minimal care, thriving in full sun and well-drained soils. However, it is not typically used in ornamental landscaping due to its less showy appearance. Gardeners should be aware that it can self-seed and spread in favorable conditions, potentially becoming weedy.CC BY-SA 4.0