Alopecurus pratensis
It has dense cylindrical seed heads 3-6 cm long on tall wiry stems. Flowers May-July.
Soil moisture tolerances
It is found on sites with 10-20 weeks dry soil per year and 10-20 weeks wet soil per year, so it has moderate requirements.
Soil fertility tolerances
It is typically found on moderately fertile sites (10-25 mg P/kg) or P index 1-2.
Traditional medicinal use
‘Alope’ was the fox-girl of Greek legend and ‘curus’ is from the Greek for tail. Its orange anthers make the flower resemble a fox’s tail