Scientific Family
Poaceae
Other common names
marsh foxtail
Plant type
Grasses
Riparian
Yes
Grass Description
Origin
Introduced
Season
Warm
Grows in mud and shallow water. Found in ditches, open wet meadows, along shores and stream banks from lowland to montane zones.
Plant Community
Riparian
Low elevation
0
High elevation
8000
Similar species
Phlegm pratense
General Description
Plants may be annual or perennial and are sometimes shortly rhizomatous. Stems are erect or trailing, occasionally rooting at the nodes. Leaves are inserted mostly on the lower 1/2 of the stems.
Lemma awns bent and twisted below, much longer than the glumes. Flat blades.
Grass type
Perennial bunchgrass
Rhizomes
Yes
Stolons
No
Clump Diameter 2 ft or more
No
Bushy - highly branched
No
Height with Seedheads
12 inches or more
Seedhead Structure
Branched - contracted
Seedhead droops
No
First bloom month
June
Last bloom month
August
Flower Characteristics
Flowers per Spikelet
One-flowered
Spikelets One-Sided
No
Awns
Less than 1/4 inch
Three Awns
No
Awns bent
Yes
Flower and Seedhead Notes
Single-flowered spikelets are densely compressed along the entire length of each seedhead. The spikelets are attached to branches rather than to the main axis of the seedhead. Seedheads may have a purplish hue.
Vegetative Characteristics
Blade is hairy
No
Blade margins white
No
Blade cross-section
Flat
Leaf sheaths are open and loosely clasp the stems. Blades are flat, green to grayish-green, with clear veins. Leaf blades are usually smooth but may feel rough, especially on the lower surface.
Sheath is hairy
No
Tufts of hair top of sheath or collar
No
Ligule
Membranous
Auricles
No
The foliage is browsed when young, but becomes less palatable as it matures and may present a greater association with fungi responsible for equine pulmonary disease. Nutritive value is poor.