Purpletop: Tridens flavus
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Weed Description: A perennial with short, thick rhizomes that is most noticeable from August through October when these plants reach 4 or 5 feet in height and produce dark purple panicles. Purpletop is primarily a weed of hay fields, pastures, abandoned fields, and roadsides that is found from New Hampshire south to Florida. |
| Leaves: Leaves are somewhat
flattened and appear folded in the sheath and have a relatively prominent white midvein.
Leaves are 8 to 17 mm wide, usually hairy except near the bases, lacking auricles,
and with a ligule that is a fringe of hairs less than 1 mm in length. Stems: Sheaths are round and usually hairy only near the top. Plants may reach 4 to 5 feet in height when mature. |
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Flowers: The seedhead is an open
panicle that is dark purple in color. Individual spikelets are 6 to 8 mm long, 1 to
2 mm wide, and purple in color. Roots: Short, thick rhizomes occur along with a fibrous root system. |
| Identifying Characteristics: A grass with relatively wide leaves that have a very small ligule that is a fringe of hairs. Additionally, the short, thick rhizomes and purple seedhead are characteristics that help in the identification of this weed. |  |