Arizona Mousetail
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 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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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.
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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