Alopecurus pratensis
Meadow Fox-tailRhizomatous perennial, culms erect, to 1 m high. Leaf-blades to 40 cm long and 14 mm wide, finely scabrous; sheaths smooth; ligules obtuse, membranous, to c. 2 mm long, often auriculate at margins. Inflorescence a spike-like panicle, 2–9 cm long, 7–10 mm wide; glumes 3.5–6 mm long, acute, connate in the lower c. 1 mm, hairy along keel and nerves; lemma subequal to glumes, acute, glabrous except near base, margins connate in lower c. one-third; awn (4.5–)6–10(–14) mm long, geniculate, inserted near base of lemma; palea absent. Anthers 2–4 mm long. Flowers Aug.–Feb.
VVP, VRiv, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, NIS, EGL, HSF, HNF, OtR, Strz, VAlp. Also naturalised in WA, SA, Qld, NSW, Tas. Widespread in Europe and northern Asia where indigenous. A useful pasture grass in areas of moderate to high rainfall, mostly in the southern half of the State, occasionally becoming established on adjoining land. Historically used for soil stabilisation and sometimes persisting on treated road verges.
Walsh, N.G. (1994). Poaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 2, Ferns and Allied Plants, Conifers and Monocotyledons, pp. 356–627. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
