Bristly Foxtail

Bristly Foxtail

[Setaria verticillata (L.) Beauv.]

Poaceae (Grass Family)

▲ ▼ young, mature plants

▲ ▼ mature plants showing 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