Tridens albescens (Vasey) Woot. and Standi., white tridens 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season, perennial bunch grass. 
Height: 1 to 3 feet. 
Leaf blade: Long; narrow; rolls inward when drying. 
Leaf sheath: Rounded; open; basal sheaths shorter than in- 
ternodes. 
Ligvle: Row of hair. 
Stem: Swollen at base ; white to purple. 
Seedhead: Dense panicle distinctly green to purple before 
maturity. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Growth starts in late spring. Seedheads start to form about 5 to 
6 weeks later. Seed are fairly large. Plants often have a sour 
odor. 
DISTRIBUTION 
Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Grows best along drainageways and sites that overflow occa- 
sionally. Best adapted to sandy to sandy loam soils but grows on 
clayey soils if moisture is adequate. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
White tridens is grazed by cattle and horses. The large seed are 
eaten by birds. 
Because this grass never makes up a large percentage of the 
plant composition, it is seldom a key management species. It is 
generally less palatable than associated grasses; therefore, re- 
quires no special management. White tridens is an increaser on 
most sites ; its abundance indicates fair range condition. 
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