Meadow Foxtail
Alopecurus pratensis
Also listed as Tozzettia pratensis, Tozzettia vulgaris
Also known as Perennial Foxtail, Field Foxtail, Golden Foxtail Grass
Climate Match for your location
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Meadow Foxtail is a vigorous perennial grass valued for pastures and meadows, producing distinctive reddish-purple flower spikes in spring. It establishes quickly and tolerates grazing well, making it popular for livestock forage.
Why grow it
Meadow Foxtail is a cool-season perennial grass suited to temperate pasture systems where rapid establishment and grazing tolerance are priorities. Compared to other pasture grasses like Timothy or Orchard Grass, it leafs out earlier in spring and produces forage quickly, though it may have less persistent stand longevity in some contexts. Extension services recommend it for rotational grazing systems and mixed-grass meadows in cooler regions.
Watch out for
This grass performs best in well-drained soils and may decline in waterlogged conditions. Productivity can vary significantly by cultivar and regional climate, so variety selection should match local growing conditions. Like other intensively managed forage grasses, it responds to soil fertility and may require periodic reseeding to maintain density in heavily grazed pastures.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Poaceae
Native Range
Europe
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Meadow Foxtail is a vigorous perennial grass valued for pastures and meadows, producing distinctive reddish-purple flower spikes in spring. It establishes quickly and tolerates grazing well, making it popular for livestock forage.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Meadow Foxtail grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Meadow Foxtail is a cool-season perennial grass suited to temperate pasture systems where rapid establishment and grazing tolerance are priorities. Compared to other pasture grasses like Timothy or Orchard Grass, it leafs out earlier in spring and produces forage quickly, though it may have less persistent stand longevity in some contexts. Extension services recommend it for rotational grazing systems and mixed-grass meadows in cooler regions.
Watch out for
This grass performs best in well-drained soils and may decline in waterlogged conditions. Productivity can vary significantly by cultivar and regional climate, so variety selection should match local growing conditions. Like other intensively managed forage grasses, it responds to soil fertility and may require periodic reseeding to maintain density in heavily grazed pastures.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Poaceae
Native Range
Europe
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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