Order GRAMINEZE. 
Genus Alopecurus. 
Sub-Order Phalaride^e. 
Genus III.—ALOPECURUS, Linnaeus. 
Creeping or erect, glabrous or downy grasses. Spikelets laterally compressed, imbricated in spike-like 
cylindrical panicles, i-flowered. Empty glumes sub-equal, keeled, usually connate at the base ; awn 
straight, dorsal. Ealea o. Scales o. Stamens 3. Grain free within the hardened glumes. Distri¬ 
bution of Genus : NORTH AND SOUTH TEMPERATE COUNTRIES. Etymology : From 
two Greek words signifying “ a fox” and “a tail.” 
1.—ALOPECURUS GENICULATUS. 
KNEE-JOINTED FOX-TAIL GRASS. 
{Elate V.) 
Alopecurus geniculatus, Linnaeus. English Botany, 1250. 
Alopecurus paniceus, (Eder. 
Alopecurus australis, Nees. In Mitchell’s “ Australia.” 
Alopecurus geniculatus, Linnaeus. Hook, fil., FI. N.Z., I., 290 ; Handb. N.Z. Flora, I., 320. 
A grass of moist habitats or shallow water-pools, often floating on the water, where it presents 
when in flower, a conspicuous display of pale flesh-coloured spikes. Found from near sea-level to 
3500 feet altitude. Flowers November—December. Perennial. Roots fibrous. Culms creeping at 
the base, ascending, bent at the joints, and often rooting at the nodes, 1—2 feet high. Leaves glabrous, 
flat, soft, slightly scabrous on the edges ; sheaths large, grooved; ligule long, membranous. Fanicle 
spike-like, cylindric, obtuse, i-J—inches long; rachis woolly. Spikelets numerous, i-flowered. 
Empty glumes connate at the very base, membranous, compressed ; keel with long bristles, 3-nerved. 
Flowering glume ovate, 7-nerved; awn variable in length and position. Ealea o. Anthers large. 
Styles nearly connate at the base. Stigmas with short simple hairs. Ovary glabrous. Distribution 
of Species : EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA, NORTH ASIA, AUSTRALIA, TASMANIA, 
NEW ZEALAND. 
Opinions of authors, regarding the value of this grass in pasture, are conflicting. Lowe, in his 
work on British grasses, says of it, “ A common grass, rejected by cattle.” Again, Charles Johnson, in 
a work on British grasses, says, “ Most of the grazing animals devour this grass with avidity.” And 
again, Sinclair, in his “Hortus Gramineus Woburnensis,” gives the following opinion regarding its 
value : “It does not appear to be eaten with much relish by either horses, cattle, or sheep; its nutrient 
powers are not considerable, and, from its sub-aquatic habit, it cannot be recommended for cultivation.” 
