Meadow Foxtail

A tufted perennial which is widespread throughout the British Isles. It is commonly found in low lying areas, particularly in river meadows. It is noted as one of the earliest growing grasses in the spring.

Uses

It can provide grazing and a useful contribution to meadow hay crops.

Persistence

A perennial species

Strengths

It is nutritious and palatable to stock and is one of the first grasses to flower in the spring. In cases where hay making is possible, it makes a useful contribution to yields.

Frost Tolerance

Frost hardy

Sowing Rate Advice

8kg per acre / 20kg per ha

Ideal Sowing Time

Sowing in warm, moist soils, will help a quick and successful germination.

Management

Grazing or mowing in the spring, will encourage another flush of summer growth.

Distinguishing characteristics

Seed
The seed has a narrow, flat appearance, wider than most grass seeds. It may have a whisker or awn at one end. The seed is approximately 5mm in length. This seed may be coated with a clay covering, to make sowing easier, due to the light weight of the seed.

Flowering Plant
Tall in growth structure with green, whitish culms. The basal leaf sheath is often black or brown, the leaves are hairless. Meadow foxtail has a ligule that is short (4mm) and even, known as truncate in shape. The spike is yellowish to green and made up of densely packed spikelets, which are covered in silver hairs, giving the panicle a silky appearance. The panicle is 2-13cm long. This is a stoloniferous species. It can reach 120cm in height, especially on moist or wet soils.

Additional Info

Flowers April - June Average seeds per kg - 900,000 It is a difficult species to produce seed from.

Works well with

It may be sown with other traditional, non aggressive species in species rich grass mixtures like smaller catstail, sheeps fescue and smooth stalk meadow grass or wild flowers mixes.

Buy Meadow Foxtail Straight

You can find Meadow Foxtail in the following mixtures

• Species Rich Parkland Grassland Low Maintenance
• Species Rich Parkland Grass Low Maintenance 20% ORGANIC
• Wetland Dual Purpose Long Term Mixture
• Wetland Dual Purpose Long Term Mixture 70% Organic
• Acid & Clay Soil Mixture
• Natural Pony Paddock - with Herbs & No Ryegrass
• Natural Pony Paddock - 70% ORGANIC
• Competition Grazing Mixture
• Competition Grazing MIxture 70% ORGANIC
• Llama & Alpaca Paddock
• Llama & Alpaca Paddock 70% ORGANIC