Alopecurus geniculatus L.
Floating Foxtail
Marsh foxtail is a native perennial grass of wet places, named for the way its lower stems bend sharply at the joints, or knees, before turning upwards. Plants are often low and sprawling, rooting where the bent stems touch damp ground, and they carry soft, cylindrical flower spikes that resemble a slim, blunt foxtail, typically tinged purplish as they mature.
About
Marsh foxtail is a native perennial grass of wet places, named for the way its lower stems bend sharply at the joints, or knees, before turning upwards. Plants are often low and sprawling, rooting where the bent stems touch damp ground, and they carry soft, cylindrical flower spikes that resemble a slim, blunt foxtail, typically tinged purplish as they mature.
It grows in marshes, wet meadows, pond and ditch margins, flood hollows and other ground that is muddy or seasonally waterlogged, tolerating standing water and trampling in open, sunny situations. As a wind-pollinated grass its main value to wildlife lies in providing cover and seed within damp grassland and wetland edges. It is a useful component of seed mixes designed for wet meadows, floodplains and pond surrounds, where many drier-ground grasses would struggle.
Also known as
Knee-joint Foxtail · Kneed Foxtail · Marsh Foxtail · Water Foxtail · marsh meadow foxtail · water meadow foxtail
Synonyms
Alopecurus aristulosus · Alopecurus australis · Alopecurus bulbosus · Alopecurus geniculatus aquaticus · Alopecurus geniculatus bulbosus · Alopecurus geniculatus geniculatus · Alopecurus geniculatus gracilic · Alopecurus geniculatus latifolius · Alopecurus geniculatus normanii
In our seed mixes
Beta — under active development. This catalogue is still being built and accuracy-checked. The information here (including plant identifications, British native status, soil and sun/shade preferences) is provided in good faith for general guidance only and may contain errors or omissions. It must not be relied upon on its own — please confirm details with us before making planting, specification, foraging or purchasing decisions, and never eat or medicinally use any plant based on this catalogue alone, as some species are toxic. To the extent permitted by law, Phoenix Amenity Supplies accepts no liability for any loss arising from use of this information.