Tridens flavus (purpletop)

Purpletop is an ornamental bunchgrass that produces attractive purple seed heads in the Fall. It reaches 2.5–7' in height. Richly hued foliage develops in Spring, giving way to purple flower spikes that appear in August and persist into November. Performs well in a variety of soils and prefers partial shade. Late-season color is especially striking when planted en masse. Very deer resistant. 

Purpletop is found in roadsides and open woodlands, widespread in much of the eastern United States as far north as southern New Hampshire and westward into the Great Plains. Songbirds eat the seeds, and wildlife use the stems for nesting material. Several species of butterflies and moths use this grass as a larval host plant, including various skippers and the common wood-nymph. The plant also provides excellent cover for wildlife. 

Photo by Mary Keim, licensed under Flickr, no changes.

BONAP Native Range Map. Bright green indicates native to the county, dark green indicates native to the state.