Creeping Foxtail

General Description

Creeping foxtail is a long-lived, early maturing, rhizomatous grass. It is highly adapted to moist riparian areas, but can become invasive due to its longevity, prolific seed production, ease of seed spread (wind/water) and creeping ability.

Creeping foxtail stems can grow to 1 m tall (3.3 ft), with leaves up stems. Leaves are smooth on top and rough beneath. They are generally 6-12 mm wide. The creeping rhizomes are very extensive and can form a thick sod quickly. As a sod thickens, generally less seed heads are produced. Creeping foxtail heads are a similar shape to timothy. The seeds are black and hairy when mature, and can be transported to a new location by wind or water.  

Meadow foxtail is a similar species, but does not have creeping roots and seeds are generally light grey in colour. The two species can cross.

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

Eastern Europe, Eurasia.

Longevity

At least 20 years.

Use

Hay, pasture.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer. Creeping foxtail can be continually or rotationally grazed but responds best to rotational grazing. Intense, small paddock grazing may be needed to force grazing. Creeping foxtail begins growth very early in the season. Hay creeping foxtail early, before flowering for the best yield and quality. Over maturity decreasing palatability is a big limitation of creeping foxtail. 

Recovery After Use

Requires a minimum 45-60 days of recovery after use. Creeping foxtail regrows quickly after use when moisture is available. May be grazed after haying.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Creeping foxtail has an average total digestible nutrient (TDN) level of 65% and crude protein level of 14-15% in the vegetative state. Creeping foxtail is most palatable for grazing or haying prior to heading. Livestock avoid grazing maturing plants.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

460 mm / 1780mm

Drought Tolerance

Poor tolerance. Requires moist soils.

Flooding Tolerance

Withstands 2-5 weeks of spring flooding. Can withstand wet or waterlogged soils year round.

Winter Hardiness

Good hardiness.

Soil Texture Preference

Creeping foxtail is adapted to loamy to clay soils that remain moist or wet throughout the growing season. It is also found on peat and muskeg soils.

Erosion Control

High erosion control ability. Creeping foxtail is effective for erosion control in high moisture areas such as streams and canals due to spreading rhizomes. It can invade waterways.

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. Creeping foxtail has the ability to displace foxtail barley growing in wet saline areas.

Acidity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. Creeping foxtail tolerates soil pH to 5.5.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Seeds per kg

1,733,000 seeds/kg (786,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Creeping foxtail matures early on moist sites, thus limiting mixture possibilities. It is often seeded as a monoculture. Alsike clover may prove successful in a mix. Legumes, generally, may add quality to the stand.

Ease of Establishment

Creeping foxtail seeds are small, fluffy, and tolerant of flooding. Purchasing coated seed makes seed metering and distribution more consistent. Creeping foxtail not only has poorer seedling vigor which can make it difficult to seed in a wetter area, but seedlings need enough time between seeding and fall to become well rooted and winter hardy.

Competitiveness

Creeping foxtail is very competitive once established due to strong rhizomes. Creeping foxtail may displace native wetland vegetation including reed canary grass.

Management Considerations

Creeping foxtail seed will move along riparian areas and waterways, spreading it downstream. Management in wet areas can be difficult due to waterlogged or moist soils. Harvesting when soils are saturated may result in soil compaction. Grazing or haying creeping foxtail at the right growth stage is important due to its poor palatability after heading. It should be noted that while the USDA Plants Database praises creeping foxtail for palatability season long, within western Canada, palatability has proven to be limited unless stands are kept vegetative.