Alopecurus pratensis
meadow foxtail
Overview
Alopecurus pratensis is a tufted, cool-season perennial grass 1-4 feet (30-120 cm) tall, forming loose clumps from short rhizomes. The flat, soft leaf blades are 4-16 inches (10-40 cm) long and gray-green to green, with a rough upper surface. In late spring it produces a dense, soft, cylindrical flower head 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long that resembles a fox's tail, made of tightly packed spikelets with protruding yellow to purple anthers. It flowers earlier than most meadow grasses, greening up and heading in mid- to late spring. The grass grows in damp meadows, pastures, riverbanks, and roadsides, favoring moist, fertile soils. Native to Europe and temperate Asia, it has naturalized across North America and other temperate regions and is grown for hay and grazing. Its wind-blown pollen is a common cause of hay fever in late spring. It spreads by seed and short rhizomes to form persistent stands.
Native Range
Alopecurus pratensis is native to Europe and temperate Asia. It has naturalized widely across North America and other temperate regions, where it is grown and has spread in meadows and pastures.Suggested Uses
Grown for hay, pasture, and grazing, and used in damp meadow and naturalized grassland plantings. It suits wildlife and conservation meadows on moist ground rather than ornamental borders. It is sown in mixtures for early-season forage and meadow structure.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 4'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Flowering comes early, mainly from April to June, with the soft cylindrical heads shedding abundant pollen on the wind. The heads turn from green to straw as the seed ripens. Flowering well ahead of most grasses makes its pollen an early contributor to hay fever.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
green to purplish with yellow anthersFoliage Description
gray-green to greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-9 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight