Purpletop Tridens
Tridens flavus
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States, Virgin Islands
Mason Brock (Masebrock)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Tridens
- Species:
- Tridens flavus
- USDA Symbol:
- TRFL2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, bronze
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Common Wood-Nymph (Cercyonis pegala), crossline skipper (Polites origenes), Dun Skipper (Euphyes vestris), Verna Skipper (Pompeius verna)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Moths:Heliocheilus lupata
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- bronze, purple
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Tolerates fire; resprouts from basal crown after low-intensity burns.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after cold stratification; surface sow and keep moist.
Pre-treatment: Seeds may take 30 to 49 days to germinate. 3-4 weeks of cold stratification at 40°F may improve germination. Unstratified plug trays should be covered with clear, lightweight plastic and exposed to full sunlight in the greenhouse. Media should be kept continually moist. Direct sunlight appears to help. Bottom heat at 80°F and mist do not increase speed or percentage of germination.
Establishment: Seeds sown on blotter under mist failed to germinate. There are conflicting protocols regarding the need for stratification and the effect of bottom heat on germination. The protocol with higher germination rates was preferred in the synthesis.
Source: npn.rngr.net
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Native American Seed (nursery and seeds)
- Bamert Seed (seeds)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Vermont Wildflower Farm (nursery and seeds)