Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: YELLOW-EYED GRASS

Phylum: MAGNOLIOPHYTA

Class: LILIOPSIDA

SubClass: COMMELINIDAE

Order: COMMELINALES

Family: XYRIDACEAE

Genus: XYRIS

Species: TORTA

Taxonomic Authority: SM.

Taxonomy References: 001

Status

STATE RANK S1
GLOBAL RANK G5

Status References: 002

Habitat Summary

"Mesic portions of upland praires, prairie mounds, fens, and disturbed, moist, sandy soils *004,003*."

Primary Habitat: ""

References: 003 , 004

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Widely scattered in southern Missouri in mesic portions of upland prairies, fens, and disturbed, moist, sandy soil *004*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
HOWELL GREENE
RIPLEY LAWRENCE
ST. CLAIR

References for distribution: 003

Distribution by Watersheds

Osage R. from Headwaters to Warsaw, MO.
James R.
Current R.
Warm Fork Spring R. and South Fork

Comments: ""

Distribution by Ecoregions

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Ozark
Ozark: Springfield Plateau
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Osage Plains

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Aquatic Associations:

References for Aquatic Associations:

Habitat Types:

Wooded Riparian and Bottomland Hardwood
Marsh
Perennial Grass (Warm season)

References for Habitat Types: 003 , 004

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Prairie
Mesic Prairie
Wet-Mesic Prairie
Sandstone/Shale Prairie
Sand Prairie
Wetland
Marshes
Fen
Prairie Fen

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 003 , 004 , 008

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

""

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits

Adult Food Habits

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements:

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

References for resting juvenile niche requirements:

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

References for feeding Adult niche requirements:

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

References for feeding adult niche requirements:

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

References for resting adult niche requirements:

Niche Requirement Summary

Life History Information

Reproduction (plants):see comments(042)
Duration of plant:perennial
Life form:herb
Flowering period begins: June
Flowering period ends: August
Fruiting period begins: see comments(050)
Other life history information specified in comments(099)
Origin in state: native
Closely associated plant or animal species specified in comments(003)

References for life history: 004 , 005 , 006 , 007

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Grassland - other (specify in comments)
Grassland - prevent woody invasion
Water - maintain bogs
Grassland - maintain riparian habitats
Grassland - haying/mowing

Beneficial Management References: 010 , 009

Adverse Managment Practices:

Grassland - soil compaction

Adverse Management References: 010 , 009

Comments on Management:
Annual mowing of grasslands helps to prevent invasion of woody species *010*.

References for Management Comments: 010

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Unpb The PLANTS Database, database (version 5.1.1). 2000. National Plant Data Center, NRCS, USDA. Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA. http://plants.usda.gov.htm Zigadenus nuttallii.
002 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.
003 Unpb Missouri Department Of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102. 573-751-4115.
004 Steyermark, J.A. 1963. The Flora Of Missouri. The Iowa State University Press. Ames, IA. 1728 pp.
005 Unpb Flora Of Missouri Database. G. Yatskievych, Missouri Botanical Garden, P.O. Box 299, St. Louis, Mo 63166-0299. 314-577-9522.
006 Unpb Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center. Xyris torta. Http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/1999/neflor/species/4/xyritort.htm. 8711 37th Street SE, Jamestown, ND 58401. 701-253-5500.
007 Godfrey, R.K. and J.W. Wooten. 1979. Aquatic and wetland plants of the southeastern United States: Monocotyledons. The University of Georgia Press: Athens. 712pp.
008 Unpb Illinois Plant Information Network. Xyris torta. Http://www.fs.fed.us/ne/delaware/ilpin. Illinois Natural History Survey, 607 E. Peabody Dr., Champaign, IL 61820.
009 Unpb Department of Natural Areas and Preserves. Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Http://www.dnr.ohio.gov/dnap/Abstracts/W-Z/xyritort.htm DNAP. 1889 Fountain Square, Columbus, OH 43224. 614-265-6453.
010 Bush, E.M. 1988. A floristic study of a wet meadow in Barbour County, West Virginia. Castanea 53(2): 132-139.