Weedy, introduced annual from 12-40 inches tall with erect or spreading stems which are often sharply angled at the base. Hairless leaf blades may be smooth or rough to the touch measuring up to 10 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Hairs are present on the margins of the upper leaf sheath (D). The cylindrical 1-6 inch nodding (occasionally erect) flower cluster consists of densely packed spikelets, each associated with 1-3 pale green or purplish bristles (C).
Roadsides, disturbed areas. At Fontenelle Forest, Green Foxtail is common along the edges of Camp Gifford Road. At Neale Woods it is common along the edges of both parking lots. Flowering occurs from July to September.
The flower spike of Yellow Foxtail (Setaria pumila) is erect and more cylindrical than other foxtails and bristles are yellow or orange. Giant Foxtail (Setaria faberi) has soft white hairs on the upper surface of the leaf (best seen with a hand lens). The upper leaf also often feels soft or velvety, particularly on those plants with many hairs. Less reliable, but often helpful, is the tendency for Giant Foxtail flower clusters to droop from the base making a broad, deep arch while Green Foxtail often just droops at the tip or is gently arched.
Green Foxtail is known by a host of other common names including Bottlegrass, Pigeongrass, Green Millet, Wild Millet and Green Bristlegrass.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Neal Ratzlaff.