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foxtail
Scientific Name: Alopecurus
Family: Poaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Foxtail Grasses: A Potential Hazard for Pets
The term "foxtail" refers to various species of wild grasses characterized by spikelet clusters or seed heads that facilitate seed dispersal. While aesthetically interesting, these grasses can pose risks, particularly to pets like dogs and cats.
Considerations for Pets
- The barbed seed heads of foxtail plants can penetrate a pet's skin, nose, or other body parts.
- An abrupt onset of sneezing after being outdoors during late spring and early summer could indicate a foxtail seed lodged in a pet's nose.
- Foxtails are a serious hazard for field dogs, or any dogs in the field, due to their hard, seed-bearing structures.
Common Names and Scientific Classification
- Common Name: Foxtail
- Foxtail is a generic term often applied to several species of wild grasses.
- Specifically associated with a type of wild barley (Hordeum jubatum).
- Genera include Alopecurus and Setaria of the family Poaceae.
Types and Characteristics
- Foxtails of the genus Setaria are summer annual grasses.
- Yellow foxtail (Setaria pumila) and green foxtail (S. viridis) are comprised of many biotypes.
- Green foxtail (Setaria viridis) has a fibrous root system and reproduces by seed.
- It grows 1 to 4 feet (15 to 115 cm) tall and is erect.
- Annual grass that grows rapidly during warm weather (summer).
- Growing habit is clump type, somewhat loose and open.
- Green Foxtail – leaf blade is flat.
Distribution and Habitat
- Foxtail weeds invade disturbed soils across North America.
- Alopecurus pratensis (Meadow Foxtail) is a coarse grass of neutral grassland, persisting in improved swards and generally found on moist soils.