Purpletop (Tridens flavus)

I'm native to New York state and to Tompkins County, NY.

 

I’m a warm season grass.

 

I have attractive reddish-purple seed heads that appear in late summer.

 

I have another common name, grease grass, because my seed heads are oily. 

 

My seeds attract birds and mammals.

 

I'm a host plant for many butterflies and moths, including the broad winged skipper (Poanes viator).

 

I am salt tolerant, so I can be planted along roads.

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