Arizona Mousetail
Myosurus cupulatus
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
2"–6" H × 1"–3" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
AZ
Browse plants for this ecoregion
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.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Arizona Mousetail fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.