Alopecurus aequalis


Alopecurus aequalis is a common species of grass known as shortawn foxtail or orange foxtail. It is native to much of the temperate Northern Hemisphere from Eurasia to North America, where it can be found in many types of habitat.

Description

This perennial bunchgrass is variable in appearance. It produces bunches of erect stems between 10 and about 70 centimeters in height. The leaves are short, rarely exceeding 10 centimeters long. The cylindrical inflorescence is a few centimeters long and blooms with white to yellow to bright orange anthers.

Ecology

One variety of this species, var. sonomensis, is a rare California endemic grass which is federally listed as an endangered species of the United States.