Foxtails

Common: Bristly Foxtail (Bur Bristlegrass), Giant Foxtail (Chinese Millet), Green Foxtail (Green Bristlegrass), Yellow Foxtail

Scientific: Setaria venticillata, Setaria faberi, Setaria viridis, Setaria glauca

Affected Crops: Alfalfa, corn, cotton, rice, row crops, soybeans, tobacco.

• Bristly Foxtail - Erect, smooth stems, extremely branched at the base. Leaf blades are smooth to rough, with rough margins, with the exception of a few hairs near the base of the upper surface. Tend to spiral.
• Giant Foxtail - Leaf blades are 4-12 inches long, hairy on the upper side. It has a conspicuous, nodding panicle.
• Green Foxtail - Leaf blades are less than 6 inches long. Ligules have short hairy fringe, and sheaths are closed with hairy margins.
• Yellow Foxtail - Leaf blades are hairless and approximately 12 inches long. Ligules are membranous and fringed with hairs, while the leaf sheaths are closed and smooth, except on the margins.

Geographical Distribution: Yellow, Green and Bristly Foxtails are common throughout the United States. Giant Foxtail can be found from Massachusetts to Nebraska, in the Corn Belt and south to northern Mississippi. Green Foxtail is more common than the Yellow in western states.