Creeping foxtail (Alopecurus arundinaceus, Sp. pl. 1:60. 1753)

Family: Poaceae

Author: Poir.

Bibliography: Sp. pl. 1:60. 1753

Year: 1808

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Alopecurus

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Temp. Eurasia, NW. Africa

Description

Creeping foxtail, scientifically known as Alopecurus arundinaceus, is a perennial grass species belonging to the Poaceae family. This resilient plant is native to temperate regions across Eurasia and northwestern Africa, where it has adapted well to various environmental conditions.

Characterized by its vigorous growth and creeping rhizomes, creeping foxtail covers ground efficiently and forms dense mats. The grass typically thrives in moist soils, often found in meadows, along riverbanks, and in low-lying areas where water availability is consistent. Its name “foxtail” refers to the plant’s bushy, brush-like inflorescences that bear a striking resemblance to the tail of a fox.

Creeping foxtail was first documented in 1753, as noted in the species plantarum (Sp. pl. 1:60) and described by Poiret. This documentation signifies its long-recognized presence and importance in botanical studies. The grass’s utility extends beyond its ecological role; it is widely cultivated for its forage value, offering nutritious fodder for grazing animals.

In cultivation, creeping foxtail is appreciated for its rapid establishment and tolerance to flooding, making it an excellent choice for erosion control and soil stabilization projects. Additionally, it contributes to the biodiversity of the habitats it occupies, supporting various wildlife species.

Overall, Alopecurus arundinaceus is a valuable species within its native range and beyond, serving multiple ecological and agricultural purposes. The robust nature and adaptability of creeping foxtail highlight its significance within the Poaceae family and its enduring legacy in botanical literature.

Common Names

Deu: blasen-fuchsschwanz, rohr-fuchsschwanz, rohr-fuchsschwanzgras
Eng: creeping meadow foxtail, creeping foxtail, reed foxtail
Dan: sort rævehale
Lav: niedru lapsaste
Fin: ruokopuntarpää
Swe: ruokopuntarpää, svartkavle
Nno: strandreverumpe
Nob: strandreverumpe
Fra: vulpin rampant, vulpin faux roseau, vulpin roseau
Sme: čáhppesguppolsuoidni
En: Creeping foxtail, Creeping meadow foxtail, Reed foxtail, Creeping Meadow-foxtail
Da: Sort rævehale
Fi: Ruokopuntarpää
Fr: Vulpin rampant, Vulpin Faux Roseau, Vulpin roseau
De: Rohr-Fuchsschwanz, Blasen-Fuchsschwanz, Rohr-Fuchsschwanzgras
He: זנב-שועל ביצתי
It: Coda di topo violacea
Lv: Niedru lapsaste
Se: Čáhppesguppolsuoidni
Nb: Strandreverumpe
Nn: Strandreverumpe
Sv: Svartkavle, Ruokopuntarpää

Synonyms

• Alopecurus geniculatus var. ventricosus (Chevall.)
• Alopecurus nigricans var. humilis (Fr.)
• Alopecurus muticus (Kar. & Kir.)
• Alopecurus nigricans var. halophilus ((Griseb.) Schur)
• Alopecurus repens (M.Bieb.)
• Alopecurus arundinaceus var. ruthenicus ((Weinm.) T.Marsson)
• Alopecurus arundinaceus f. longiaristatus (H.Lindb.)
• Alopecurus ruthenicus (Weinm.)
• Alopecurus arundinaceus f. brachystachys (Elenevsky)
• Alopecurus pratensis subsp. nigricans ((Hornem.) Hartm.)
• Alopecurus ruthenicus var. nigricans ((Hornem.) Regel)
• Alopecurus pratensis var. ventricosus ((Rchb.) Coss. & Durieu)
• Alopecurus arundinaceus subsp. exserens (H.Scholz & Henker)
• Alopecurus pratensis var. armenus (K.Koch)
• Alopecurus elatior (Jacq. ex Hook.f.)
• Alopecurus arundinaceus var. exserens (T.Marsson)
• Alopecurus arundinaceus f. breviaristatus (H.Lindb.)
• Alopecurus pratensis var. exaltatus ((Less.) Griseb.)
• Alopecurus salvatoris (Loscos)
• Alopecurus nigricans var. ventricosus (Rchb.)
• Alopecurus castellanus (Boiss. & Reut.)
• Alopecurus pratensis var. castellanus ((Boiss. & Reut.) Maire & Weiller)
• Alopecurus arundinaceus subsp. castellanus ((Boiss. & Reut.) Rivas Mart., Fern.Gonz. & Sánchez Mata)
• Alopecurus ruthenicus var. exserens (Griseb.)
• Alopecurus pratensis subsp. ventricosus ((Rchb.) Thell.)
• Alopecurus armenus ((K.Koch) Grossh.)
• Alopecurus pratensis subsp. arundinaceus ((Poir.) Husn.)
• Alopecurus ventricosus var. exserens (Serb. & Nyár.)
• Alopecurus arundinaceus subsp. subaristatus (F.M.Vázquez)
• Alopecurus ventricosus var. lobatus (Grossh.)
• Alopecurus nigrescens (J.Jacq.)
• Alopecurus aquaticus ((Dumort.) Tinant)
• Alopecurus liouvilleanus (Braun-Blanq.)
• Alopecurus pratensis var. uliginosus (Hartm.)
• Alopecurus pratensis var. arundinaceus ((Poir.) Gustave & Hérib.)
• Alopecurus nigricans var. exserens (R.Arndt)
• Alopecurus pratensis var. nigricans ((Hornem.) Wahlenb.)
• Alopecurus arundinaceus subsp. armenus ((K.Koch) Tzvelev)
• Alopecurus nigricans (Hornem.)
• Alopecurus sibiricus (Roem. & Schult.)
• Alopecurus pratensis var. ruthenicus ((Weinm.) Steud.)
• Alopecurus pratensis (Bourg. ex Lange)
• Alopecurus arundinaceus var. pashkiensis (Melderis)
• Alopecurus pratensis subsp. aquaticus (Dumort.)
• Alopecurus intermedius (Bock ex Steud.)
• Alopecurus exaltatus (Less.)
• Alopecurus pratensis var. exserens (Maire)
• Alopecurus ventricosus var. glaucus (Ravarut)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• Chita (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Magadan (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Qinghai (native)
• Romania (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• Newfoundland (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Northwest Territorie (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 21, 2022 by Thomas Engst (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2022 by bio natalie (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2019 by M A (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2019 by alizée am (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Bark

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by Nora Rapp (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 12, 2018 by Florian André (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 16, 2022 by Ilaria Mosti (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 18, 2018 by Jordan Galli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Other

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

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

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

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

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5290087)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:387025-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Alopecurus arundinaceus Poir.)

Specifications

Growth