Tall redtop, Purpletop tridens
Tridens flavus var. flavus
Poaceae


Landscape Uses:

Borders, edges.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Available at native plant nurseries in northeast and central Florida.
Description:
Perennial grass with stems 2-5 feet tall and flat leaf blades 4 inches to 1 foot long. Panicle 6-18 inches long with purple spikelets.
Height:
Typically 3-5 feet tall, as tall or taller than broad.
Growth Rate:
Range:
Eastern, central, and southern United States south to Dade county.
Habitats:
Fields.
Soils:
Moist to somewhat dry, well-drained sandy or limestone soils, without humusy top layer.
Nutritional Requirements:
Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation.
Drought Tolerance:
High; does not require any supplemental water once established.
Light Requirements:
Full sun to light shade.
Flower Color:
Purple.
Flower Characteristics:
Showy.
Flowering Season:
Fall.
Fruit:
Wildlife and Ecology:
Larval host plant for clouded skipper (Lerema accius) butterflies.
Horticultural Notes:
Comments:
We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page.


Grasses, Sedges and Rushes of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Florida website.
Grasses, Sedges and Rushes of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Florida website.
Grasses, Sedges and Rushes of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Florida website.
Grasses, Sedges and Rushes of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Florida website.