Tridens flavus

Easily grown from seeds planted 1/4 inch deep. Seeding rate should be 20 to 25 pounds PLS per acre. Purpletop seedlings are slow to develop and competition from weeds and/or cool season grass may overwhelm the stand on the better soils. Stands should be established using a no till drill to minimize the number of weed seeds exposed. The cool season grasses must be thoroughly killed with contact herbicide before seeding. The most common cause of purpletop establishment failures is a loose seedbed. Conventionally tilled plantings should be packed before and especially after the seeding. The seedbed should be firm, showing only a slight imprint when stepped on. When using a no till drill, be sure the coulter furrows are closed to avoid seed exposure and drying. This is effectively done by cultipacking after drilling.

Is readily eaten by livestock during its early stage of growth. If frequently grazed too close, it will soon be eliminated from the stand.

A highly drought and fire tolerant grass. Prefers a pH of 4.50-6.50. Adapted to areas of the eastern United States with more than 30 inches of rainfall and soils that are well-drained to droughty, shallow, and fertile to sterile.

Roadsides and open woods.