Hare’s-tail (Lagurus ovatus, Sp. Pl.: 81 (1753))

Family: Poaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 81 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lagurus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to Arabian Pen.

Description

Hare’s-tail, scientifically known as Lagurus ovatus, is a charming ornamental grass that adds texture and ethereal beauty to gardens and landscapes. This delightful plant belongs to the Poaceae family, a group known for its grasses that often grace meadows, prairies, and garden beds alike.

Lagurus ovatus has a rich history, first described in the work “Species Plantarum” by Carl Linnaeus in 1753. The plant earns its common name, Hare’s-tail, from its distinctive, fluffy seed heads that resemble the soft tail of a hare. These seed heads are not just visually appealing but also contribute to the plant’s tactile charm, often used in dried flower arrangements and decorative crafts due to their prolonged preservation of form and color.

Native to regions spanning from Macaronesia to the Mediterranean and extending to the Arabian Peninsula, Hare’s-tail is well adapted to a variety of climates and soil conditions. It thrives in sandy or loamy soils and prefers full sun, although it can tolerate partial shade. This resilience makes it a favored choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance yet eye-catching plant.

Hare’s-tail typically reaches a height of 30-60 cm, forming dense tufts that are both robust and graceful. The inflorescences, which emerge in late spring to early summer, start as a pale green hue before maturing to a creamy, wheat-colored shade. This transformation provides dynamic seasonal interest and a sense of movement within garden compositions.

Whether used as a standalone feature in rock gardens, mixed borders, or as part of a naturalistic planting scheme, Lagurus ovatus brings an element of softness and tranquility to outdoor spaces. Its versatility and ease of care make it a popular choice among both novice and experienced gardeners.

In conclusion, Lagurus ovatus, or Hare’s-tail, is a noteworthy addition to any plant collection. Its historical significance, combined with its unique aesthetic and adaptability, ensures that it continues to be cherished by horticulturists and garden enthusiasts around the world.

Common Names

Eng: hare’s-tail, harestail grass, hare-tail grass, haretail grass
Dan: harehale
Deu: hasenschwanzgras, hasenschwanzgras, samtgras
Nld: hazenstaart
Swe: harsvans, sammetsgräs
Fra: queue de lièvre, queue-de-lièvre, lagure queue-de-lièvre
Ces: zaje
Cym: cwt ysgyfamog, cynffon ysgyfarnog
En: Hare’s-tail, Hare-tail grass, Harestail grass, Haretail grass
Ar: شعر الأرنب
Bg: Яйцевиден лагурус
Ca: Cua de ca
Co: Coda di volpe
Cs: Zaječí ocásek vejčitý, Zaje
Da: Harehale
Nl: Hazenstaart, Hazestaart
Eo: Ovala laguro
Fi: Jänönhäntä
Fr: Queue-de-lièvre, Queue de lièvre, Lagure queue-de-lièvre, Chaton, Gros-minet
De: Hasenschwanzgras, Hasenschwanzgras, Samtgras, Hasenpfötchen, Hasenschwänzchen, Samtgras
He: זנב-ארנבת ביצני
It: Piumino
Pl: Dmuszek jajowaty
Pt: Rabo-de-lebre
Pt-br: Capim-de-jardim, Rabo-de-lebre
Es: Cola de liebre, Lágrimas de la Virgen
Sv: Harsvans, Sammetsgräs
Uk: Зайцехвіст яйцеподібний
Cy: Cynffon ysgyfarnog, Cwt Ysgyfamog

Synonyms

• Imperata ovata (Tratt.)
• Lagurus ovatus subsp. nanus ((Guss.) Messeri)
• Lagurus ovatus var. glabrilemmis (Maire)
• Lagurus ovatus var. villilemmis (Maire)
• Lagurus ovatus subsp. vestitus ((Messeri) Brullo)
• Lagurus ovatus var. subglaber (H.Scholz)
• Lagurus ovatus var. vestitus (Messeri)
• Lagurus ovatus var. globosus (Zohary)
• Lagurus ovatus var. nanus (Guss.)
• Lagurus humilis (Gand.)
• Lagurus freynii (Gand.)
• Lagurus dimorphus (Gand.)
• Lagurus dalmaticus (Gand.)
• Lagurus siculus (Lojac.)
• Lagurus nitens (Lojac.)
• Lagurus longifolius (Gand.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Flower

Taken Aug 3, 2021 by Dieter Cuypers (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2018 by jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2019 by Manu Pacha (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2013 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 17, 2020 by Cindy Radenac (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 30, 2021 by Jean-René Girardeau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 15, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2020 by Giménez Empar (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2013 by Henk Van Lottum (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 17, 2019 by Angela Tremble (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2020 by Geraldine Mortelette (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2020 by sandra56 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 11, 2021 by BERTRAND HUCHEDE (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2021 by Pieter Verbrugghe (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 14, 2019 by laurent hoffmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2022 by Daniel de Laraho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2018 by Patrice Messin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 10, 2018 by minapaysage (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2008 by David Genney (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 23, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Laurent CHAUVEL (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2020 by Jean-Louis C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 13, 2021 by Giode Tonpino (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 2018 by Annita Dee (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2020 by anne gaelle leroy (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 20, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 9, 2021 by Maria Cristina Guarinoni (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2018 by tibthebear (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5290177)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:406799-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lagurus ovatus L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 6