western panicgrass, Dicanthelium implicatum

These are the very small flowers of western panicgrass. This grass grows to around a foot tall, and produces a panicle of these two milimeter long florets. You've got to be a little agile and sharp-eyed to appreciate these purple offerings. But it works well for the plants, helping to make them one of the first arrivals any time man or nature leaves some bare soil behind. This panicgrass grows in every state except AK and HI, and in AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, ON, PE, and QC. Wayne Co MI, 6/20/14. Grass family, Poaceae.