Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Alopecurus aequalis is a common species of grass known as shortawn foxtail or orange foxtail. It is native to much of the temperate Northern Hemisphere from Eurasia to North America, where it can be found in many types of habitat. This perennial bunchgrass is variable in appearance. It produces bunches of erect stems between 10 and about 70 centimeters in height. The leaves are short, rarely exceeding 10 centimeters long. The cylindrical inflorescence is a few centimeters long and blooms with white to yellow to bright orange anthers. Ecology. One variety of this species, var. sonomensis, is a rare California endemic grass which is federally listed as an endangered species of the United States.

Plant type

Grass

Size

4 - 30 in Tall

Form

Mounding

Growth rate

Moderate

Calscape icon
Color

Green, Yellow, White, Orange

Flowering season

Spring

Soil description

Prefers loamy or clay soils. Grows poorly in sandy soils.

Plant communities

Alpine Fell-Fields, Freshwater Wetlands, Lodgepole Forest, Red Fir Forest, Redwood Forest, Subalpine Forest, Wetland-Riparian, Yellow Pine Forest