Alopecurus aequalis (shortawn foxtail) profile

Alopecurus aequalis (also called shortawn foxtail or orange foxtail) is an annual herb that blossoms and bears fruit from spring to summer each year. Alopecurus aequalis has the effect of dampness detumescence, heat clearing and detoxification. 

Alopecurus aequalis picture

Morphological characteristics of Alopecurus aequalis

Appearance

Alopecurus aequalis is an annual herb. Culms a few fascicular, thin, smooth, nodal often knee bend, 15-40 cm high.

Leaf

The leaf sheaths of Alopecurus aequalis are smooth and shorter than internodes. Ligule is membranous, 2-5 mm long; Leaves are flattened, 3-10 cm long and 2-6 mm wide.

Flowers & fruit

Alopecurus aequalis is a panicle terete, grayish-green, 2 -- 7 cm long and 3 -- 6 mm wide; Spikelets are elliptic or ovate-oblong, 2-3 mm long; Glume is membranous, the base is interconnected, with 3 veins, fine cilia on the ridge, short hairs on the lower part of the lateral veins; Lemma is membranous, apex obtuse, equal to or slightly longer than glume, lower margin connate, awns 1.5 -- 3.5 mm long, protruding about lower 1/4 of the lemma, concealed or slightly exserted; Anthers are orange, 0.5-0.8 mm long. Caryopsis ca. is 1 mm.

Ecological habits of Alopecurus aequalis

Alopecurus aequalis can be used for a long time. It does not have reproductive branches in the first year after sowing and reaches full development in the third year. It is suitable for planting in permanent pasture.

Alopecurus aequalis likes cold, wet climates and is not tolerant of drought and heat. It grows well in the area with annual rainfall of 1200-1300mm, and has strong cold resistance and frost resistance. Germinate early in spring and can still be used in late autumn. alopecurus aequalis likes moist and organic content of clay loam, clay. Acidic soil, salt dissolved soil growth is poor.

Cultivation of Alopecurus aequalis

The seed is small, the soil should be carefully prepared before sowing, spring and autumn sowing, the sowing amount is 22.5 ~ 30kg/hm2, the soil depth is 2 ~ 3cm.Harvesting grass should be cut in the heading stage or early flowering, too late, stem and leaves coarse old, quality decline. Seeds are patchy and easy to fall off. It is best to harvest when the upper seeds of the first heading are about to fall off.

The distribution of Alopecurus aequalis

Alopesurus aequalis is distributed in eastern and central China and Yunnan, Sichuan, Shaanxi, Henan and Hebei provinces.

How to control Alopecurus aequalis

The control grass lawns include Bermuda (Dogroot series), Zyzia grass series and Alopesurus aequalis in Poa pratensis. Before the bud, 0.0114 g/m 2 of Caochaining No. 1 can be used and 80 ~ 120 ml/m 2 of water can be added. Water once after spraying, and water thoroughly. Alopecurus aequalis 2 ~ 4 leaves, "using Caoquning No.50 0.15ml/m 2, adding 55-60ml/m water., spray, you can also use Caowning 1 0.0114 g/m 2+ Caowning 75 0.3 g/m 2, add 55-60 ml/m 2 water, spray on weeds. When Alopecurus aequalis is over the 5-leaf stage, use Caolin 50 0.15 ml/m 2 every 4 to 21 days, and spray repeatedly. Alopecurus aequalis was controlled by spraying Caowning 40 0.3N0.33ml/m 2 with water 45-55ml/m 2 during the weed 2-6 leaf stage. The dosage of Alopecurus aequalis should be increased appropriately after the 5-leaf stage.

Alopecurus aequalisuse uses

Alopecurus aequalis has medium grass yield, abundant leaves, good grass quality and high protein content. Alopecurus aequalis is suitable for cutting hay, horses, cattle like food. The intake of cotton and goats was poor. It can be used for grazing in the long - term grassland.