Mousetail

Myosurus minimus

Weed Description
A cool-season annual capable of growing 20cm in lenght. Mousetail is native to North America, desires moist marsh areas and, no-till settings. Flowers are on a compressed spike with 100 plus carpels that resemble a mouse's tail.

Leaves
Spatulate or linear, very thin measuring 0.5-2.2mm in width and 2-15cm in length, and entire margins.

Stems
No stems are present, branches holding the seedhead measure 2-20cm in lenght and have no hairs.

Flowers
Five white to yellow colored petals that quickly senesce. Carpels are in great numbers and emerge from an elongated spike, are inconspicuous, and symmetrical.

Roots
Fibrous root system from a thin taproot.

Identifying Characteristics
A compressed spike with 100 plus carpels which resemble a mouse's tail. Commonly found in no-tilled soils , near marshes or open water. Leaves are blunt at the tip and quite thin measuring 0.5-2.2mm in width.

Trouble identifying a weed?

For additional assistance identifying weeds, contact Dr. Kevin Braldly, State Extension Weed Scientist (bradleyke@missouri.edu).

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Mousetail

Myosurus minimus

Trouble identifying a weed?