Herbaceous grass meadow foxtail with unusual properties in a country flower bed
Meadow foxtail is a representative of the cereal family. The life forms of cereals are very diverse. Among them there are not only grasses, but also shrubs. More than 45 species are known to science. Meadow (Alopecúrus praténsis) is one of 20 varieties that grow in Russia.
Perennial description
You can start your acquaintance with a perennial with a detailed description of what a foxtail looks like:
- Plant height varies from 50 cm to 110 cm. The bush has generative and shortened shoots.
- The stem is straight, smooth, thin. There are specimens with a thickening in the lower part or curved in the shape of a knee.
- The rhizome is short, creeping, fibrous. Penetrates deep into the soil up to 1 m.
- The leaves are narrow, up to 25 cm long, about 8 cm wide. Painted in dark green. The components of the leaves are a membranous sheath, a tongue 2.5 mm long with short pubescence, and a narrow leaf blade. Young shoots have folded leaves.
- Spikelets are fluffy, one-flowered, flat with short awns. The spikelet is 6 cm long. Scales with pointed tops, crumble together with the seeds.
- Inflorescence is a cylindrical panicle. Fusiform and elongated, up to 12 cm long. An interesting fact - the cereal got its name due to the appearance of the inflorescences. At the time of flowering, they are covered with a large number of orange stamens and look like a fox's tail.
- The flower has a strong axis and two pointed scales that are almost white.
- The fruit is a weevil. The shape of the fruit is oblate, ovoid, 5-8 mm long.
- The seeds are flat, with small stiff thorns, very light. Ripen in July. The weight of 1000 seeds is 0.3 g.
Meadow foxtail blooms in June, flowering duration is 13-17 days. It is considered a morning cereal. It blooms daily from 4 to 8 am.
Fruiting from the second year of life, refers to early maturing cereals. Up to 10 -15 years old it grows in herbage. The first year it grows very slowly, in subsequent years it develops very actively. The type of development is spring and winter.
The area of distribution of meadow foxtail
Despite the fact that the native land of the cereal is Northern Europe, it can be found in any part of the world. The only climate that does not suit perennials is tropical. But in forest glades, wet meadows, marshlands and dry lands, perennial grows beautifully. It can be found on the sandy shores of reservoirs and rivers, on the roadsides.
With a large accumulation of foxtail bushes form thickets.
The plant prefers loose fertile peat bog or loam. It develops well in humid places, tolerates prolonged flooding (up to 1.5 months). But constant stagnation of water, drought and saline soils for meadow foxtail are completely unsuitable. Dominates in herbage, perfectly coexists with wheatgrass creeping, bluegrass, field grass.
Composition and useful properties of cereals
Without listing the useful properties, the description of meadow foxtail will be incomplete.
Scientists have found that 1 kg of grass contains:
- protein 25 g;
- 0.23 feed unit;
- calcium 3 g;
- carotene 70 mg;
- phosphorus 0.7 g;
- flavonoids.
The rich composition of meadow foxtail served as the beginning for the study of its pharmacological properties. According to the conclusion of German scientists, the plant gives an analgesic effect in the treatment of diseases of a rheumatic nature.The presence of flavonoids allows it to be used to strengthen the walls of capillaries and blood vessels. Carotene restores vision and increases the body's immune status.
The plant's pollen is used medicinally to make allergens.
Application in various industries
The fame and popularity of the foxtail can be explained by its use in various spheres of human life.
In addition to medicinal properties, foxtail has a lot of advantages:
- good winter hardiness;
- high nutritional value;
- the ability to grow back quickly after mowing;
- resistance to prolonged waterlogging.
In agriculture, it is used in crop rotation as a precursor for vegetables and grain crops.
Meadow foxtail grain is stored for about 10 years, seeds - up to 4 years.
Perennial as food
The main criterion for the benefits of cereals for livestock is its early maturity. Also, the herb contains many vitamins and minerals necessary for animals. Meadow foxtail has high feeding capacity, is easily digested. Therefore, it is considered to be one of the best cereals. The culture is sown in pastures, combined with fescue, bluegrass, timothy grass, feather grass, wheatgrass. The result is high quality hay at the level of selective crops.
Harvesting begins at the beginning of flowering foxtail, used for feeding cattle.
Meadow foxtail in folk recipes
Specialists of traditional medicine also know who a foxtail is. Perennial-based products are used externally and internally. Decoctions are most effective in treating problems of the genitourinary system. To relieve joint and muscle pain, apply dressings or baths with the addition of infusion. For flu, colds, dermatitis, herbal wraps are indicated. Foxtail is useful for strengthening the circulatory system and boosting immune status.
Use in landscape design
With the help of an ordinary herbaceous perennial, you can create original compositions. Cereals fit well with different styles.
Foxtail is planted in flower beds, along garden paths and ponds, near gazebos and terraces. They are used to decorate rockeries, alpine slides, shady gardens, and create lawns.
The main advantages of the plant are unpretentiousness and decorativeness. On the lawn, areas with brightly colored panicles create a dramatic contrast. There is another plant property that designers often use. This is a different color of the leaves, depending on the place where it grows. In the sun, the leaves have a yellowish tint, in partial shade - greenish. Vein foliage goes well with barberry or tenacious.
Meadow foxtail can be classified as a universal cereal. The perennial gives not only a dense herbage, but also serves as a decoration for areas. Growing does not require much effort, and the result is always excellent in any industry.