Slender Yelloweyed Grass Xyris torta
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Xyris bulbosa
- Xyris flexuosa
- Xyris indica
- Xyris torta var macropoda
- Xyris torta var. occidentalis
- Phonetic Spelling
- ZY-riss TOR-tuh
- Description
-
Xyris torta is a short-lived perennial that grows from a deeply rooted, chestnut-brown bulb. The yellow flowers typically bloom one or two at a time, so not very showy. The small blooms appear at the tip of the stem with many scale-like bracts that spiral around the head. A single flower will emerge from each bract. In the center of each flower is 3 erect, fertile, yellow stamens and 3 hairy, sterile stamens. The bracts will remain, forming a seed head that will expand as the fruit matures.
It can be found growing in wetlands such as bogs, marshes, wet ditches and shores of rivers or lakes.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Xyris
- Species:
- torta
- Family:
- Xyridaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, NM MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 10 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Clumping
- Erect
- Vase
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Moist
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is an elliptic, translucent seed.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spike
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Cylindric yellow flowers produced from compact brown head on top of wiry leafless stems. Few flowers open at any one time.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Other/more complex
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- This plant has strongly raised veins. They are narrow, often twisted leaves that look like blades of grass. The base of the leaf may appear red to pinkish.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Smooth/Hairless
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The flowering stems are erect. There may be single or multiple stems forming at the base. They are ribbed, spirally twisted and swollen. Near the base, it can nearly black.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Near Septic
- Riparian
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Pollinator Garden
- Water Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Wet Soil
