Aristida arida

Aristida arida is a species of grass in the family Poaceae, endemic to arid regions of central and southern Australia. It was first formally described by botanist B.K. Simon in 1984 in Austrobaileya. Commonly referred to as a type of three-awn grass, the species is adapted to red earths, skeletal soils, and sandstone habitats, often occurring in association with mulga (Acacia aneura) woodlands. Its distribution includes Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and South Australia, particularly around Alice Springs, Lake Eyre, and the Flinders Ranges. Flowering and fruiting occur throughout the year, with peak activity between April and September. Morphologically, A. arida is distinguished by its contracted spicate panicles, unequal glumes, and tuberculate lemmas, features that separate it from related species such as Aristida nitidula and Aristida strigosa.