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Giant Foxtail, Japanese Bristlegrass

(Setaria faberi Herrm.)

Poaceae (Grass Family)

 ▲▼ mature plants with drooping, spike inflorescences

 ▲▼ mature plants with drooping, spike inflorescences

 ▲▼ mature plants growing in corn crop-- some toward center-back of photo are over 5 feet tall

▲▼ spike often bends over from lower 1/3 of spike, and is soft, flexible

▲  inflorescence detail

▲▼ Ligule and collar region

Giant Foxtail

·           tallest of the group, reaching 4-5' in cultivated, moist soils

·           has fine hair on upper side of leaves

·           has a long, drooping "foxtail" inflorescence; inflorescence may be up to 6" long

·           can produce up to 10,000 seeds per plant

·           has a moderate allelopathic effect on corn

·           one giant foxtail plant per foot of row can reduce soybean yields 13%

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