Setaria verticillata (L.) Beauv.   = Chaetochloa verticillata   Poaceae (Grass Family)                                                         Europe                                                           Bristly Foxtail                                                              Bur Bristlegrass

                                   July Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Annual, 3-6 dm. tall, tufted; lvs. scabrous, 5-25 cm. long, 5-10 mm. wide; ligule 1-2 mm. long; sheath 2-10 cm.; panicle erect but not stiff, +/- cylindrical, 5-15 cm. long, 7-15 mm. thick; bristles solitary, downwardly barbed, +/- retrorsely scabrous, 3-6 mm. long; spikelets 2-2.5 mm. long, green, 1st glume one third, 2d as long as sterile lemma; fertile lemma obscurely transverse-rugose; the slender seeds are faintly and finely transversely ridged on the back, somewhat smooth and shiny on the three veins, about twice as long as wide; commonly straw colored, rarely mottled with brown.

Habitat:  Occasional weed, as at Indio, Riverside, Upland, Santa Barbara.  May-July.

Name:  Latin, seta, bristle.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 998).  Latin, verticillus, a whorl.  (Jaeger 280).

General:  Rare in the study area, found only once and this between 23rd St. and Mariners Dr. (my comments).       The Setarias are troublesome in alfalfa fields, especially along the borders and in thin stands.  The seeds are a common impurity in alfalfa seed.  (Robbins et al. 105).     The seeds are edible and should be parched so as to facilitate the removal of the husks.  They may be ground into meal or used whole.  In various parts of Europe, the seeds are still used in pudding, bread and soups.  (Kirk 187).      Primitive peoples have cultivated S. italica, Italian or foxtail millet, since prehistoric times.  The seed has been found in early remains such as those of the Swiss lake dwellings of the Stone Age. In America this species is used for hay.  (Hitchcock 718).      About 125 species of warmer regions, particularly Africa.  (Munz, Flora So. Calif. 998).

Text Ref:  Hickman, Ed. 1296; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 999; Pohl 171; Robbins et al. 109.

Photo Ref:  July 3 83 # 17,18.

Identity: by F. Roberts.

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 55.

Have plant specimen.

Last edit 5/2/03.

                                               July Photo