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Arizona
Range Grasses Back to the Table of Contents
RED THREEAWN
Growth habit: Perennial bunchgrass, 6 to 15 inches
tall, growing in thick clumps.
Occurrence Rather widespread and locally abundant in all counties
except Maricopa, Yuma, and Santa Cruz, between elevations of 3,000 and
6,000 feet. It is most common on sandy or gravelly plains and hills
but becomes established on better areas when the more palatable grasses
are grazed out.
Forage Value Red threeawn has a low palatability rating. Because of its abundance in some areas, however, it furnishes rather large amounts of forage, particularly from late July to early September. Growth begins late in the spring but little feed is produced until the summer rains begin. During the fall and winter when the plants are dry it has very little forage value.
Red threeawn is much less palatable than blue grama or
the other grasses with which it is commonly associated. As a consequence,
it increases on heavily grazed ranges at the expense of the better forage
plants. Although often an indicator of range deterioration, red threeawn
may indicate only that the site is arid and has a well-drained soil. Deep soils which support an abundance of red threeawn can be improved by light grazing, temporary nonuse, or winter only grazing.
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Cooperative
Extension,College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of
Arizona