Alopecurus pratensis
| Meadow Foxtail | |
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| Habitus | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Monocots |
| (unranked): | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Alopecurus |
| Species: | A. pratensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Alopecurus pratensis L. |
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Alopecurus pratensis, known as the Meadow Foxtail or the Field Meadow Foxtail, is a perennial grass, belonging to the grass family (Poaceae). It is native to Europe and Asia.
This common plant is found on grasslands, especially on neutral soils. It is found on moist, fertile soils, but avoids waterlogged, light or dry soils. The species forms dense swards leading to low botanical diversity.
This species is widely cultivated for pasture and hay, and has become naturalised in many areas outside of its native range, including Australia and North America.
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[edit] Identification
It flowers from April until June - one of the earliest grasses to do so. Any survey work carried out in mid-Summer may miss the grass as a result of this.
It can grow to a height of about 110 cm. The stem is erect or geniculate at the base, the sheathes being smooth and cylindrical. The leaves are about 5 mm wide and hairless. Meadow Foxtail has a cylindrical inflorescence, with glumes about 5–10 mm wide and spikelets about 4–6 mm long.
The ligule is 1 to 2.5 mm long, with a slightly tattered top.[1]
[edit] Similarity to other grassland species
Alopecurus pratensis has two common relatives Marsh Foxtail Alopecurus geniculatus and Black Grass Alopecurus myosuroides.
However It is usually confused with Timothy-grass Phleum Pratense. Timothy flowers later from June until August. The spikelets of Timothy are twin horn like projections arranged in cylindrical panicles, foxtail has a soft, single awn.
[edit] Ecology
The caterpillars of some Lepidoptera use it as a foodplant, e.g. the Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola). Additionally, male mosquitos can often be found on this flower drinking the nectar.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Alopecurus pratensis |
[edit] References
- ^ BSBI Description retrieved 2010-12-1.
