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  • Immature flower head known as an inflorescence that is light green and has the size and texture of a pipe cleaner.
    Unripe, green flower head (inflorescence). Photo by MN Department of Natural Resources.
  • The stem of the grass is folded forward to singularly expose the ligule which is a thin, paper membrane 0.03 to 0.2 inches long. It is white and semitranslucent, squarish in shape as it would wrap around the stem, and the end of the ligule is slightly textured.
    Ligule (papery membrane). Photo by MN Department of Natural Resources.
  • The green stem of creeping meadow foxtail showing the leaf as it wraps and branches off the stem with the ligule at the crux of the leaf and stem. A thin papery, white, semi-translucent membrane is also wrapped around the stem.
    Leaf and ligule (papery membrane) wrapping around the stem. Photo by MN Department of Natural Resources.
  • The flower head of the grass is in full flower with many white and yellow pistils and stamens covering the dark green non-reproductive parts of the flower head.
    Flowering flower head (inflorescence in anthesis). Photo by MN Department of Natural Resources.
  • The flower head of the grass is fully mature and is stacked with hundreds of brown slightly spiky seeds nestled on top of each other. The lower stems is yellow.
    Flower head with seeds (seed head or mature inflorescence). Photo by MN Department of Natural Resources.
  • A grass dominated landscape is surrounded by shrubs in the distance and a shrub on the right hand side. The photo is taken during the growing season and plants look full and green in contrast with the pale blue sky. However, the landscape is dominated by creeping meadow foxtail and the seed heads (mature flower heads) are visible as their dark brown color and pipe cleaner shape are distinguished from the green landscape.
    Stand of Creeping meadow foxtail. Photo by MN Department of Natural Resources.
  • A grass dominated landscape is pictured with some trees and powerlines in the distance and pale blue sky with large pale clouds overhead. The landscape is dominated by creeping meadow foxtail. While the majority of the landscape is green, the dark brown flower heads of creeping meadow foxtail are distinguished and number in the hundreds.
    Creeping meadow foxtail can create dense monocultures. Photo by MN Department of Natural Resources.

Common names: Creeping meadow foxtail
Scientific name: Alopecurus arundinaceus
Alternate Names: Creeping foxtail

Legal status

Restricted

Propagation and sale of this plant are prohibited in Minnesota. Transportation is only allowed when in compliance with Minnesota Statute 18.82. Although restricted noxious weeds are not required to be controlled or eradicated by law, landowners are strongly encouraged to manage these invasive plants on their properties to reduce spread into new areas.

Background

Creeping meadow foxtail is a perennial, rhizomatous (meaning the plant spreads by growing underground stems called rhizomes), cool-season grass native to Eurasia. It was introduced to North America in the early 1900s as a forage crop and has also been used in erosion control and soil stabilization plantings. It has been documented mainly in the western half of the United States, including North Dakota, South Dakota, and western Minnesota.

Description

  • Leaves are 0.2 to 0.3 inches wide and 2.5 to 16 inches long. They grow at the base of the plant (basal)and are arranged alternately. Notably, the basal leaves near the bottom are the longest with leaves along the stem being shorter.
  • Leaves feel smooth on the top side while the bottom side of leaves feel rough. They are long and have a pointed tip at the end of the leaf (lance-linear in shape).
  • Leaves are attached to the stem with a 0.03- to 0.2-inch-long ligule (thin, papery membrane).
  • Stem grows between 12 to 47 inches tall.
  • Flower is a 1.5 to 4-inch-long spike of small florets that changes from green to purple to black as florets mature.
  • Seeds are black, covered in small hairs, and 0.05 inches long.

Habitat

Creeping meadow foxtail is well adapted to wet areas and can grow in moist to wet soils. It prefers full sun and can be found in pastures, ditches, roadsides, floodplains, stream banks, prairies, wetlands, and meadows.

Means of spread and distribution

Creeping meadow foxtail can spread by seed and rhizomes (underground stems). Rhizomes spread underground and make existing infestations larger. Broken pieces of rhizomes can establish new patches elsewhere.

Impact

Creeping meadow foxtail can create dense monocultures that outcompete native plant species and impair water movement in waterways, ditches, and roadsides.

Prevention and Management

  • To prevent spread from existing patches, clean all rhizomes and seeds from equipment, vehicles, and footwear to avoid transportation from infested areas.
  • Plants may be dug or pulled by hand or with equipment.
  • Grazing and mowing don’t control creeping meadow foxtail but can reduce the amount of plant material.
  • In thick infestations where negative impacts to non-target species are minimal, herbicides containing glyphosate have been shown to be effective, specifically when applied between late September until the first frost. When non-grass species need to be protected, use an herbicide that targets only grasses. When broadleaves need to be protected, specific herbicides that target only grasses may be used. Creeping meadow foxtail often grows in wet areas, so it is essential to understand the regulations for herbicide use in or near water. For specific herbicide regulations and recommendations, contact your University of Minnesota Extension educator.
  • For all management options, infested sites must be monitored and treated repeatedly until rhizomes die back and the seedbank is depleted.
External Links
Creeping meadow foxtail (MN DNR)
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