thumb|right|meadow foxtail <br>([[Alopecurus pratensis) ]]

Alopecurus, or foxtail grass, is a common and widespread genus of plants in the grass family. It is common across temperate and subtropical parts of Eurasia, northern Africa, and the Americas, as well as naturalized in Australia and on various islands.

Foxtails can be annual or perennial. They grow in tufts. They have flat leaves and blunt ligules (a small flap at the junction of leaf and stem). Their inflorescence is a dense panicle (a branching head without terminal flower) with 1-flowered spikelets. A few, particularly A. myosuroides, are considered weeds, others are very decorative and are used in bouquets of dried flowers.

Species

43 species are accepted.

See also

  • List of Poaceae genera

References

  • Jepson Manual Treatment
  • USDA Plants Profile
  • Grass Manual Genus Treatment