Xyris torta Smith. Common name: Twisted Yellow-eyed-grass, Mountain Yellow-eyed-grass, Slender Yellow-eyed-grass. Phenology: Jun-Aug. Habitat: Mountain bogs, seeps, marshes, streambanks, ditches. Distribution: NH west to WI, south to e. VA, e. NC, w. SC, c. GA, LA, OK, and TX. This is one of the few species of Xyris in our area that is not strongly associated with the Coastal Plain.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = AqW, Ar, C, FNA22, GW1, Il, Mi, Mo1, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S, Tat, Tn, Tx, Va, W, WV, Kral & Moffett (2009), Kral (1966a), Kral (1978b); > Xyris torta Sm. var. macropoda Fernald — F, G; > Xyris torta Sm. var. occidentalis Malme — Malme (1937); > Xyris torta Sm. var. torta — F, G, Malme (1937). Basionym: Xyris torta Sm. 1819
Links to other floras: = Xyris torta - FNA22
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: OBL
- Great Plains: OBL
- Midwest: OBL
- Northcentral & Northeast: OBL
Heliophily ⓘ: 9
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© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Scott Ward | Original Image ⭷
© Radford, Ahles and Bell | Original Image ⭷
© Alan M. Cressler | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Scapose perennial from clump of linear leaves, found in mountain bogs, marshes and ditches.
Stems: Stem many-ribbed below and with 2-4 ribs above, twisted and flexible, somewhat flattened just below the flower spike.
Leaves: Leaves mostly basal, ascending, linear (less than 1/4 in. wide), 8-20 in. long, spirally twisted, reddish-pink at base.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers in a short, cone-like head at top of stem composed of close-pressed, brown bracts; a single yellow flower emerges from each bract (only 1-2 flowers open at a time). Each flower is about ¼ in. wide and consists of 3 ragged-tipped petals, 3 erect, yellow (fertile) stamens and 3 hairy (sterile) stamens.
Fruits: Fruit a tiny, translucent, elliptic seed, 1 each held under the persistent bracts of the cone-like head.
Comments:
Height: 6-36 in.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Scapose perennial from clump of linear leaves, found in mountain bogs, marshes and ditches.
stems: Stem many-ribbed below and with 2-4 ribs above, twisted and flexible, somewhat flattened just below the flower spike.
leaves: Leaves mostly basal, ascending, linear (less than 1/4 in. wide), 8-20 in. long, spirally twisted, reddish-pink at base.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers in a short, cone-like head at top of stem composed of close-pressed, brown bracts; a single yellow flower emerges from each bract (only 1-2 flowers open at a time). Each flower is about ¼ in. wide and consists of 3 ragged-tipped petals, 3 erect, yellow (fertile) stamens and 3 hairy (sterile) stamens.
fruits: Fruit a tiny, translucent, elliptic seed, 1 each held under the persistent bracts of the cone-like head.
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cultural notes:
germination code:
native range:
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