Tridens flavus
(L.) A.S. Hitchc.
Tall Purple-top Fluffgrass
G5SecureGlobal Rank
UnknownThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.135028
Element CodePMPOA65070
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderCyperales
FamilyPoaceae
GenusTridens
SynonymsTriodia flava(L.) Smyth
Other Common Namespurpletop tridens (EN) Tall Redtop (EN) Trident jaune (FR)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-07-09
Change Date1984-09-06
Edition Date2024-07-09
Edition AuthorsEberly (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsTridens flavus is a wide ranging perennial grass occurring across the eastern United States and in northern Mexico. With a large range extent, more than 900 occurrences, broad habitat preferences and abundant habitat, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, this species is considered secure. There are two varieties which are sometimes elevated to the species level; variety chapmanii (syn. Tridens chapmanii) is more range limited and largely within the southeastern USA, as compared to var. flavus that occurs north to the New England states and south to northern Mexico.
Range Extent CommentsTridens flavus occurs in the eastern United States from New Hampshire to Nebraska and south to Florida, Texas, and Nuevo León in northern Mexico (FNA2003a). It is considered non-native in Ontario, Canada and Vermont, USA. Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024). There are two varieties which are sometimes elevated to the species level; variety chapmanii (syn. Tridens chapmanii) is more range limited and largely within the southeastern USA, as compared to var. flavus that occurs north to the New England states and south to northern Mexico.
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium records and photo-based observations documented between 1993 and 2024, there are estimated to be over 900 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, SEINet 2024). See the assessment for each variety for more information.
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
This species grows on a variety of dry to moist soils with varying pH levels in full sun to shade of woods, glades, barrens, and meadows and often in disturbed areas or sites with eroded soils, like roadsides (Foote and Jackobs 1966, FNA 2003a, Brakie and Shadow 2021, Weakley and Southeastern Flora Team 2024).
Terrestrial HabitatsForest/WoodlandForest EdgeGrassland/herbaceousOld fieldBarrensCropland/hedgerowSuburban/orchard
Other Nations (2)
CanadaNNA
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| Ontario | SNA | No |
United StatesN5
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| Georgia | S5 | Yes |
| Vermont | SNA | No |
| Missouri | SNR | Yes |
| Oklahoma | SNR | Yes |
| Tennessee | SNR | Yes |
| Kansas | SNR | Yes |
| Virginia | SNR | Yes |
| Iowa | S4 | Yes |
| Delaware | S5 | Yes |
| New Mexico | SNR | Yes |
| Alabama | SNR | Yes |
| Texas | SNR | Yes |
| Kentucky | S5 | Yes |
| Connecticut | SNR | Yes |
| North Carolina | S5 | Yes |
| Massachusetts | SNR | Yes |
| Illinois | S5 | Yes |
| New York | S5 | Yes |
| West Virginia | S5 | Yes |
| New Jersey | SNR | Yes |
| New Hampshire | SNR | Yes |
| Maryland | SNR | Yes |
| Minnesota | SNR | Yes |
| Louisiana | SNR | Yes |
| South Carolina | S5 | Yes |
| Rhode Island | SNR | Yes |
| Ohio | S5 | Yes |
| Florida | SNR | Yes |
| Wisconsin | SNR | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | S5 | Yes |
| District of Columbia | SNR | Yes |
| Mississippi | SNR | Yes |
| Nebraska | SNR | Yes |
| Michigan | SNR | Yes |
| Indiana | S5 | Yes |
| Arkansas | SNR | Yes |
Plant Characteristics
DurationPERENNIAL, Short-lived
Economic Value (Genus)No
References (8)
- Brakie, M., and A. Shadow. 2021. Plant Guide for purpletop (<i>Tridens flavus</i>). USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, East Texas Plant Materials Center. Nacogdoches, TX.
- Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2003a. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 25. Magnoliophyta: Commelinidae (in part): Poaceae, part 2. Oxford Univ. Press, New York. xxv + 781 pp.
- Foote, L.E., and J.A. Jackobs. 1966. Occurrence and stand density of <i>Tridens flavus</i> (L.) Hitchc. as related to some soil factors. Agronomy Journal 58:412-414.
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). 2024. Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) data portal. Online. Available: https://www.gbif.org/ (accessed 2024).
- iNaturalist. 2024. Online. Available: https://www.inaturalist.org (accessed 2024).
- Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
- Southwest Environmental Information Network (SEINet). 2024. Collections Databases. Online. Available: https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/collections/index.php (accessed 2024).
- Weakley, A.S., and Southeastern Flora Team. 2024. Flora of the southeastern United States. Edition of March 4, 2024. University of North Carolina Herbarium (NCU), North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 2203 pp.