Pacific foxtail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pacific foxtail |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Alopecurus
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| Species: |
saccatus
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| Synonyms | |
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Alopecurus howellii |
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Alopecurus saccatus, also known as Pacific foxtail or Pacific meadow foxtail, is a type of grass. It belongs to the large grass family, which includes many plants like wheat, corn, and rice. This grass grows naturally along the west coast of the United States. You can find it from Washington down to California. It prefers wet places at lower elevations, like moist meadows or near streams.
What is Pacific Foxtail?
Pacific foxtail is an annual bunchgrass. This means it completes its entire life cycle in one year and then dies. It grows in clumps or "tufts" rather than spreading out. Its stems are strong and stand upright. They can grow up to about 45 centimeters (about 1.5 feet) tall.
Leaves and Flowers
The leaves of the Pacific foxtail are fairly long, reaching up to 12 or 13 centimeters. The plant's flowers grow in a dense, spike-like cluster called an inflorescence. This cluster can be about 6 to 7 centimeters long. When the plant blooms, you can see yellow to reddish-brown anthers. Anthers are the parts of the flower that hold the pollen.
Where Does It Grow?
This grass is native to the western parts of North America. It thrives in damp areas. You might spot it in places like the Cascade Range or the Sierra Nevada (United States) mountains. It also grows in the Central Valley (California) and the San Francisco Bay Area.
