Black twitch (Alopecurus myosuroides, Fl. Angl.: 23 (1762))

Family: Poaceae

Author: Huds.

Bibliography: Fl. Angl.: 23 (1762)

Year: 1762

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Alopecurus

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. Europe to Medit. and C. Asia

Description

Black twitch, scientifically known as Alopecurus myosuroides, is a notable member of the Poaceae family. Originally classified and described by Huds. in his work “Flora Anglica” in 1762, this plant has a broad geographic distribution, naturally flourishing across Western Europe, the Mediterranean region, and Central Asia.

Black twitch is a grass species that has adapted to various climate conditions, reflecting its versatility and resilience. This grass grows predominantly in temperate and Mediterranean climates, contributing to the ecological diversity of these regions. Its presence is prominent across fields, pastures, and disturbed lands, where it thrives under different soil conditions.

Apart from its adaptability, Alopecurus myosuroides is recognized for its impact on agriculture. It is often regarded as a weed, particularly in cereal crops, where it competes aggressively for resources, potentially reducing crop yields. Due to its aggressive growth and reproduction, effective management requires an understanding of its biology and ecological preferences. Strategies include crop rotation, the use of herbicides, and integrated pest management approaches to mitigate its impact on cultivated fields.

Botanically, the plant is characterized by its slender, erect stems and narrow leaves. Its inflorescence is typically a dense, spike-like panicle which can easily disperse seeds over a wide area, contributing to its persistence in agricultural landscapes.

In conclusion, Black twitch (Alopecurus myosuroides) is a grass species with significant agricultural implications due to its wide distribution and propensity for rapid spread. Its adaptability and competitive nature make it a critical species to manage in agronomic practices, especially in regions conducive to its growth.

Common Names

Deu: acker fuschschwanz, acker-fuchsschwanz, acker-fuchsschwanzgras, ackerfuchsschwanz, maeuseschwanzaehnlicher fuchsschwanz
Dan: ager-rævehale
Eng: black-grass, slender meadow foxtail, annual foxtail, black grass, black twitch, large foxtail, slender foxtail, blackgrass, mouse foxtail
Lit: pelinis pašiaušėlis
Fra: vulpin des champs
Nld: duist
Lav: peļastīšu lapsaste
Ces: psárka polní
Est: põld-rebasesaba
Swe: renkavle, rikkapuntarpää
Fin: rikkapuntarpää
Nob: åkerreverumpe
Nno: åkerreverumpe
Cym: chwyn newynog, cynffonwellt ddu, cynffonwellt du, rhonwellt y cadno eiddil
En: Black twitch, Large foxtail, Annual foxtail, Black grass, Slender foxtail, Black-grass, Slender meadow foxtail, Blackgrass, Mouse foxtail, Slender Meadow-foxtail
Ca: Alopecur agrest, Cua de huineu
Cs: Psárka polní
Da: Ager-rævehale
Nl: Duist
Et: Põld-rebasesaba
Fi: Rikkapuntarpää
Fr: Vulpin des champs, Fausse Queue-de-souris, Folle-farine, Queue-de-rat, Queue-de-renard
De: Acker Fuschschwanz, Acker-Fuchsschwanz, Acker-Fuchsschwanzgras, Ackerfuchsschwanz, Maeuseschwanzaehnlicher Fuchsschwanz
He: זנב-שועל ארוך
It: Coda di topo dei campi, Erba codina, Erba topina
Lv: Peļastīšu lapsaste
Lt: Pelinis pašiaušėlis
Nb: Åkerreverumpe
Nn: Åkerreverumpe
Pt-br: Capim-cauda-de-raposa-do-campo
Es: Cola de zorra
Sv: Renkavle, Rikkapuntarpää
Cy: Chwyn Newynog, Cynffonwellt Ddu, Cynffonwellt Du, Rhonwellt y Cadno Eiddil

Synonyms

• Alopecurus purpurascens (Link)
• Alopecurus agrestis var. scaber (Lej.)
• Alopecurus agrestis var. decumbens (Pauquy)
• Alopecurus creticus var. corcyrensis (Halácsy)
• Alopecurus myosuroides var. tonsus ((C.I.Blanche ex Boiss.) R.R.Mill)
• Alopecurus agrestis (L.)
• Alopecurus agrestis var. segetalis (Lej. & Courtois)
• Alopecurus myosuroides f. levis (Pamp.)
• Alopecurus agrestis var. pulchellus (Adamovic)
• Alopecurus creticus (Willk.)
• Alopecurus agrestis var. tonsus (C.I.Blanche ex Boiss.)
• Alopecurus caerulescens (C.Presl)
• Alopecurus myosuroides var. breviaristatus (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Alopecurus myosuroides var. compositus (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Alopecurus paniculatus (Gueldenst. ex Griseb.)
• Alopecurus tonsus (Dumort.)
• Alopecurus agrestis var. geniculatus (Koeler)
• Alopecurus myosuroides var. versicolor ((Biasol.) Roshev.)
• Phleum flavum (Scop.)
• Alopecurus adanensis (Dogan)
• Alopecurus myosuroides subvar. breviaristatus (Asch. & Graebn.)
• Alopecurus myosuroides var. salinus (Grossh.)
• Alopecurus myosuroides var. latialatus (Dogan)
• Alopecurus myosuroides subsp. tonsus ((C.I.Blanche ex Boiss.) Dogan)
• Alopecurus creticus var. submuticus (Rohlena)
• Alopecurus agrestis var. minor (Gray)
• Alopecurus myosuroides var. minor (Grossh.)
• Alopecurus agrestis var. viridis (Kuntze)
• Alopecurus agrestis var. versicolor (Biasol.)
• Alopecurus coerulescens (Steud. & Hochst.)
• Alopecurus agrestis var. purpurascens ((Link) Nyman)
• Alopecurus agrestis var. lutescens (Tinant)
• Alopecurus agrestis var. minimus (Post)
• Alopecurus affinis (Desv.)
• Tozzettia agrestis ((L.) Bubani)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Assam (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Sardegna (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Ukraine (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 8, 2019 by Mehmet Basbag (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 23, 2022 by Tristan Jaton-Maria (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2019 by spera susianum (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 30, 2022 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2021 by Sven Reichhardt (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 17, 2021 by Amir Zeid (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 30, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2021 by David Hinds (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 30, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Adrien DUMON (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 12, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Jean MAURE (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 30, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2019 by Edwin Thoen (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 11, 2021 by Alizée Jung (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 5, 2017 by Antoine AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2008 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 31, 1848 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

© 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:387143-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5290097)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Alopecurus myosuroides Huds.)

Specifications

Growth form: Bunch

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth rate: Moderate

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 4.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 7