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Morphology
- Culm
- Erect, solitary, stout, slightly flattened below, glabrous.
- Blades
- Flat, 8 to 28 inches long, less than 1/2 inch wide, uppermost shorter, mostly glabrous, midrib prominent near base; margins rough; tips tapered to narrow points.
- Sheath
- Upper sheaths shorter than internodes, lower sheaths overlapping, flattened, mostly glabrous, throat and collar pubescent.
- Ligule
- Short fringes of hairs.
- Inflorescence
- Panicles, open, terminal, 6 to 16 inches long, purplish or reddish; branches slender, wavy, to 10 inches long, ascending or spreading, drooping at maturity, axils pubescent.
- Spikelets
- 1/4 to 1/3 inch long, 3-8-flowered, purplish green; awns absent.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Prairies, old fields, and open woods.
- Distribution
- East 2/3 of Kansas.
Practical Information
- Forage Value
- Livestock graze early growth purpletop. It decreases with overgrazing.
Additional Notes
Comments
Tufted. Purpletop can be identified by the distinct pubescence inside and outside the sheath at the collar. The inflorescence is somewhat oily and sticky, which causes dirt and dust to adhere to the seed heads and branches.
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Grass
- Family
- Poaceae - Grass Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 2-5 feet
- Last Updated
- 2007-09-12
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: July, August, September