Alpine foxtail (Alopecurus magellanicus, Tabl. Encycl. 1: 168 (1791))

Family: Poaceae

Author: Lam.

Bibliography: Tabl. Encycl. 1: 168 (1791)

Year: 1791

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Alopecurus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic to WC. U.S.A., Ecuador to S. South America, Subantarctic Is.

Description

Alpine foxtail, known scientifically as Alopecurus magellanicus and first described in Lam.’s work in 1791, is an intriguing botanical species belonging to the Poaceae family. This grass primarily inhabits subarctic regions and extends its grace to western central parts of the United States. Its geographical range also spans the majestic Ecuadorian locales down to the far reaches of southern South America, including the remote Subantarctic Islands.

Characterized by its distinct habitat preferences, Alpine foxtail thrives in cold, harsh environments, often flourishing where other flora may struggle to survive. The robust nature of this grass enables it to endure and adapt to the severe climatic conditions of its native ranges.

Alpine foxtail contributes significantly to the ecosystems it populates, providing ground cover and playing a crucial role in soil stabilization. Its presence supports a variety of wildlife and adds to the biodiversity of some of the Earth’s most extreme and isolated habitats.

In horticulture and botany, Alopecurus magellanicus stands out not only for its resilience but also for the aesthetic appeal it brings to the landscapes, often recognized by its characteristic inflorescence that lends the plant its common name.

Common Names

Deu: anden-fuchsschwanzgras
Eng: alpine foxtail, boreal foxtail, polar foxtail, alpine meadow foxtail
Swe: polarkavle, sydkavle
Nob: polarreverumpe
Nno: polarreverumpe
Fra: vulpin alpin, vulpin boreale, vulpin boréal
En: Alpine foxtail, Polar foxtail, Boreal foxtail, Alpine Meadow-Foxtail, Alpine meadow foxtail
Fr: Vulpin alpin, Vulpin boreale, Vulpin boréal
De: Anden-Fuchsschwanzgras
Nb: Polarreverumpe
Nn: Polarreverumpe
Sv: Sydkavle, Polarkavle

Synonyms

• Alopecurus roshevitzianus (Ovcz.)
• Alopecurus alpinus f. lachleri (Dusén)
• Alopecurus alpinus f. stejnegeri ((Vasey) A.E.Porsild)
• Alopecurus antarcticus f. bracteatus ((Phil.) Parodi ec Probst)
• Alopecurus alpinus subsp. glaucus ((Less.) Hultén)
• Alopecurus alpinus var. elatus (Roshev.)
• Alopecurus alpinus var. robustior (Hook.f.)
• Alopecurus altaicus ((Griseb.) Petrov)
• Alopecurus borealis (Trin.)
• Alopecurus alpinus subsp. pseudobrachystachyus ((Ovcz.) Tzvelev)
• Alopecurus ovatus (Knapp)
• Alopecurus arcticus (F.Dietr.)
• Alopecurus bracteatus (Phil.)
• Alopecurus alpinus var. antarcticus ((Vahl) Macloskie)
• Alopecurus villarii (Timb.-Lagr.)
• Alopecurus triceps (E.H.L.Krause)
• Alopecurus borealis var. iremelensis (Tzvelev)
• Alopecurus borealis var. muticus ((Sarfatti ex Lange) Tzvelev)
• Alopecurus antarcticus var. lechleri (Parodi)
• Alopecurus antarcticus var. triceps ((E.H.L.Krause) Parodi)
• Alopecurus alpinus f. antarcticus ((Vahl) Hack.)
• Alopecurus alpinus var. aristatus (Hook.f.)
• Alopecurus tenuis (Kom.)
• Alopecurus variegatus (Steud.)
• Alopecurus antarcticus var. bracteatus ((Phil.) Parodi)
• Alopecurus lechleri (Steud.)
• Alopecurus alpinus var. stejnegeri ((Vasey) Hultén)
• Alopecurus alpinus var. gracilior (Hook.f.)
• Alopecurus alpinus subsp. stejnegeri ((Vasey) Hultén)
• Alopecurus alpinus var. occidentalis ((Scribn.) B.Boivin)
• Alopecurus glaucus (Less.)
• Alopecurus alpinus var. robustus (Druce)
• Alopecurus glaucus var. altaicus (Griseb.)
• Alopecurus giesekeanus (Schult.)
• Alopecurus borealis subsp. glaucus ((Less.) Dogan)
• Alopecurus magellanicus var. bracteatus ((Phil.) Mariano)
• Alopecurus alpinus var. borealis ((Trin.) Krylov)
• Alopecurus antarcticus (Vahl)
• Alopecurus magellanicus subsp. glaucus ((Less.) Valdés & H.Scholz)
• Alopecurus occidentalis (Scribn.)
• Alopecurus pseudobrachystachyus (Ovcz.)
• Alopecurus alpinus var. altaicus ((Griseb.) Krylov)
• Alopecurus stejnegeri (Vasey)
• Alopecurus borealis var. igoschinae (Tzvelev)
• Alopecurus alpinus var. muticus (Sarfatti ex Lange)
• Alopecurus antarcticus var. typicus (Parodi)
• Alopecurus alpinus subsp. borealis ((Trin.) Jurtzev)
• Alopecurus antarcticus var. brevispiculatus (Hack.)
• Alopecurus antarcticus f. triceps ((E.H.L.Krause) Parodi)
• Alopecurus behringianus (Gand.)
• Alopecurus aequalis var. sonomensis (P.Rubtzov)
• Alopecurus alpinus (Sm.)

Distribution

• Alaska (native)
• Alberta (native)
• Aleutian Is. (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile South (native)
• Colorado (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Falkland Is. (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greenland (native)
• Idaho (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Labrador (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Montana (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Norway (native)
• Nunavut (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Peru (native)
• Québec (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• South Georgia (native)
• Svalbard (native)
• Utah (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Wyoming (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yukon (native)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Soreng, R.J. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Soreng, R.J. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Soreng, R.J. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Soreng, R.J. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Soreng, R.J. (cc-by-nc-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Soreng, R.J. (cc-by-nc-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:387134-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/4107552)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Alopecurus magellanicus Lam.)

Specifications

Growth form>: Rhizomatous

Growth rate>: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 5.0