Wikimedia Commons
Poaceae
Meadow Foxtail
Alopecurus pratensis
Abundance of the meadow.
- Family
- Poaceae
- Genus
- Alopecurus
- Native to
- Europe, Western Asia
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer
- Type
- grass
- Height
- 2-4 ft
- Sunlight
- full sun to partial shade
- Soil
- moist, fertile, heavy
- Water
- moderate to high
- Hardiness
- 3-8
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- The genus name Alopecurus means 'fox tail' in Greek, perfectly describing the soft, cylindrical flower spikes.
- It is one of the earliest grasses to flower in spring, often blooming weeks before other meadow grasses begin.
- The flower spikes change color from green to golden-yellow as pollen is released, creating shimmering meadows in spring breezes.
- Meadow foxtail is a major component of traditional hay meadows across Europe and was one of the first grasses deliberately cultivated for livestock.
- The golden-leaved cultivar 'Aureovariegatus' is popular as an ornamental grass in garden borders.
Color meanings
0
abundance
1
pastoral beauty
2
simplicity