Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Myosurus minimus is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family known by the common name tiny mousetail or just mousetail. It is native to much of the Northern Hemisphere, including parts of Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America. It generally grows in moist habitat types, such as riverbanks and wet meadows. It is an annual plant forming a small tuft up to about 12 centimeters tall. The leaves are linear and narrow, sometimes threadlike, and up to 6 centimeters in length. The inflorescence produces a single flower which has an elongated, cylindrical or cone-shaped receptacle up to 4 centimeters long. At the base of the receptacle are curving, spurred sepals, five petals up to 3 millimeters long, and 10 stamens.

Plant type

Annual herb

Size

2 - 5 in Tall

Form

Upright

Growth rate

Moderate

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Color

Green, Red

Flowering season

Spring

Soil description

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

Plant communities

Chaparral, Coastal Sage Scrub, Foothill Woodland, Freshwater Wetlands, Lodgepole Forest, Northern Oak Woodland, Red Fir Forest, Subalpine Forest, Wetland-Riparian, Yellow Pine Forest