Shortawn Foxtail (Alopecurus aequalis)

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae | Edibility: Edible (2/5)

Alopecurus aequalis is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.3 m (1ft). It is in flower from May to June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Seed - cooked. It can be used whole like millet, but is more usually ground into a flour and used with other cereals in making bread etc. The seed is small and fiddly, it is very much a famine food. — It can be used whole like millet, but is more usually ground into a flour and used with other cereals in making bread etc.; The seed is small and fiddly, it is very much a famine food.

Habitat & North American Range

Wet meadows and the edges of ponds and ditches. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)