How much sun does Arizona Mousetail need?

Arizona Mousetail grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Arizona Mousetail bloom?

Arizona Mousetail blooms in March, April, and May.

Where is Arizona Mousetail native?

Arizona Mousetail (Myosurus cupulatus) is native to AZ, CA, CO, NM and 3 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

Is Arizona Mousetail HOA-friendly?

Arizona Mousetail takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Arizona Mousetail

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Myosurus cupulatus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Arizona Mousetail (Myosurus cupulatus) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

2"–6" H × 1"–3" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Native to

AZ, CA, CO, NM and 3 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range North American Deserts Arizona/New Mexico Mountains Chihuahuan Deserts Madrean Archipelago Sonoran Basin and Range

Myosurus cupulatus is a tiny native annual that produces small, distinctive spike-like flower heads in spring. This diminutive wildflower grows close to the ground and completes its life cycle quickly during the cooler months.

In an HOA neighborhood

Arizona Mousetail takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Extremely small size makes it nearly invisible in landscaping
Annual nature means gaps and inconsistent coverage
Can appear weedy or look like dying grass

Wildlife value

As a small native annual, it likely provides some benefit to small pollinators and contributes to local ecosystem diversity, though specific pollinator relationships are not well documented.

Common questions

How much sun does Arizona Mousetail need?: Arizona Mousetail grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Arizona Mousetail bloom?: Arizona Mousetail blooms in March, April, and May.
Where is Arizona Mousetail native?: Arizona Mousetail (Myosurus cupulatus) is native to AZ, CA, CO, NM and 3 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is Arizona Mousetail HOA-friendly?: Arizona Mousetail takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Arizona Mousetail? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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