Setaria glauca
Setaria viridis
Setaria faberi
This genus is characterized by the bristly spike-like panicle.
Nearly all spikelets are subtended by few to several, persistent
bristles (considered to be reduced branches). As in Panicum,
spikelets have 2 awnless florets, the lower sterile and the upper
fertile with a hardened lemma and palea. The surface of the
fertile lemma is transversely rugose. Our species are mostly
stiff-stemmed plants, branching only near the base. Ligules
consist of a fringe of hairs. In all species of Setaria, the
bristles can cause eating disorders in livestock since they
can become embedded in mouth tissues.
5 species in MN; 5 native
Common species:
Setaria glauca (see tair' ee ah glaw' ka)
Synonyms: Setaria lutescens Common names: Yellow bristle grass, yellow foxtail Origin and habitat: Introduced from Eurasia; weedy in disturbed habitats Identifying characters: Mature bristles give the erect inflorescence a golden color. Leaf blades have long twisted hairs on the upper surface at the collar and sheaths are keeled. Mature fertile lemmas are strongly rugulose. Comments: The foxy-gold bristles on mature plants have provided this plant with some horticultural value in Europe. In this country yellow foxtail reseeds itself so readily, making it difficult to eradicate, that the beauty is overlooked. It is occasionally found in dried floral arrangements.
Setaria viridis (see tair' ee ah vir’ ih dis)
Synonyms: None Common names: green bottlegrass, green bristle grass, green foxtail Origin and habitat: Introduced from Eurasia; cosmopolitan weed found in disturbed areas Identifying characters: Leaf blades generally have a whitish hardened margin, while the slightly compressed sheaths have ciliate outer margins (the inner margins are ciliate only near the collar). Inflorescences are slightly nodding at the tip, with yellowish-green to purple bristles. Mature feritle lemmas are rugulose. Comments: Similar to yellow foxtail (S. glauca), green foxtail has an inflorescence that is more curved, with purplish or greenish bristles that are broader than the capillary bristles found on S. glauca. The larger, similar colored Setaria faberi or giant foxtail, is a problem weed in cultivated areas. Growing up to 1.5 m tall, giant foxtail is characterized by droopy stems along with long (7.5-20 cm) droopy inflorescences. It also has longer spikelets (2.4-3 mm) than in S. viridis (1.9-2.5 mm).
MAPS ADDITIONAL SPECIES IN MINNESOTA: Setaria faberi Setaria italica Setaria verticillata Next genus Return to technical key