Tridens muticus (Torr.) Nash, slim tridens 
DESCRIPTION 
Warm-season, perennial bunch grass. 
Height: 8 to 12 inches. 
Leaf blade: Narrow; rolled, giving needlelike appearance; 
sometimes sparsely covered with fine hair. 
Leaf sheath: Shorter than internodes; usually covered with 
short hair. 
Ligule: Ring of hair. 
Stem: Erect; slender; somewhat swollen at base. 
Seedhead: Dense panicle; spikelets 6- to 8-flowered, pale 
purplish ; back of palea densely covered with hair. 
GROWTH CHARACTERISTICS 
Makes most of growth in late spring. Seedheads generally ap- 
pear 4 to 5 weeks later. Bunches are seldom more than 3 to 4 
inches in diameter. 
DISTRIBUTION 
West Texas and Oklahoma to California. 
SITE ADAPTATION 
Adapted to well-drained, rocky calcareous soils. 
USE AND MANAGEMENT 
Slim tridens is grazed by cattle and horses. The seed are eaten 
by rodents and birds. 
Although this grass makes up 10 to 15 percent of the total 
production on some sites, it is seldom considered a key manage- 
ment species because associated grasses are more palatable. It is 
an increaser on cattle ranges ; its abundance indicates fair to poor 
range condition. 
r 
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201 
