Bristly Foxtail
[Setaria verticillata (L.) Beauv.]
Poaceae (Grass Family)
▲ ▼ young, mature plants
▲ ▼ mature plants showing inflorescences
▲ ▼ inflorescences
▲ ▼ inflorescences
▲ tangling dry inflorescences
▲ ▼ ligule and collar region
Bristly Foxtail:
· summer annual with medium green foliage that is usually hairless, but may have hairs on margins of leaf or sheath
· inflorescence is a mostly upright spike, with tiny barbs along bristles that can catch on clothing, skin or animal fur/feather
· bristle barbs can also or other inflorescences, sometimes producing contorted or tangled inflorescences
· can distinguish from other foxtails by the adherence of the bristles to skin upon touching
compare with giant foxtail, green foxtail and yellow foxtail