Notice of release of Menard Germplasm purple threeawn: a selected class of natural germplasm

Abstract

Menard Germplasm purple threeawn (Aristida purpurea Nutt. [Poaceae]) is a Selected Class Germplasm release developed by Texas Native Seeds (TNS), the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) James E “Bud” Smith Plant Materials Center, Borderlands Research Institute at Sul Ross State University, Texas AgriLife Research, and Tarleton State University. Purple threeawn is a perennial caespitose bunchgrass widespread across western North America. This species is a common vegetative component of well-drained, low nutrient soils and is recommended for use in upland wildlife plantings, critical site revegetation, rights-of-way plantings, and inclusion in native range seeding mixes on sand to gravelly ecological sites. Menard Germplasm was selected for release because of excellent comparative growth among other naturally occurring and commercially produced populations of purple threeawn, region-wide adaptation, and to provide vegetative cover on sites with poor soil conditions. This release is justified because no tested or selected seed sources of purple threeawn are adapted for use in south, central, and west Texas.