Bristly Foxtail

[Setaria verticillata (L.) Beauv.]

Poaceae (Grass Family)

▲ ▼ young, mature plants

▲  mature plants showing inflorescences

▲ ▼ inflorescences

▲ tangling dry inflorescences

▲ ligule

Bristly Foxtail:  (pp. 464-465, Weeds of the Great Plains—not in  Weeds of the Northeast)

·         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