foxtail millet
Family
PoaceaeScientific Name
Setaria italicaOther Common Names:
foxtail bristlegrass
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Panicum italica
Chaetochloa italica
Habit
Foxtail millet is an erect summer annual that can reach up to 5 feet tall.
Leaves
Leaves can be glabrous and may be rough and up to 12 inches long. Leaves are approximately 2-8 inches wide. The ligule is a fringe of hairs that is less than a tenth of an inch.
Identifying Characteristics
Foxtail millet can be identified by its hairy ligule and hollow stem that has pubescence on the nodes.
Flower Seed Head
The seedhead is a bristly panicle, similar to most of the foxtail species. The seedhead is nodding and ranges from 1 to 8 inches long. This species flowers from July to September.
Seed Fruit
The fruit is a caryopsis, a simple dry grain, that is oval in shape. The color can vary from tan, red, brown to black.
Where Found
Commonly a weed of fields, pastures, turf, and other non crop sites, such as railroads and roadsides.
Leaf Hair on Upper Surface
no hairs
Leaf Arrangement
rolled in bud
Mature Leaf Width
Varies:
6 to 15 mm,
more than 15 mm
Stem
round
Seedhead
bristly
Root Structure
fibrous
Life Cycle
summer annual
Auricle
not present
Ligule
hairy
Ligule Length
Varies:
less than 1 mm,
1-2 mm,
2-3 mm
Plant Type
Grass