Foxtail Grass

Foxtail Grass (Alopecurus), a genus of Grasses, of which some species are much valued, particularly the Meadow Foxtail Grass (A. pratensis). This is one of the best meadow and pasture grasses of Britain, but does not arrive at full perfection till the third year after it is sown. It bears mowing well, and is reckoned a good grass for lawns. This, with Sweet Vernal Grass, is the earliest of British meadow grasses; it bears drought well, and thrives under trees. The Jointed Foxtail Grass (A. geniculatus), with an ascending culm bent at the joints, is very common in moist places, and cattle are fond of it, but it is a small grass. The Slender Foxtail Grass (A. agrestis) is an annual or biennial, of little value, although occasionally sown on very light sandy soils. See GRASSES, PASTURE.