Setaria verticillata (L.) P.Beauv.
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Description
Setaria verticillata is an annual tufted grass, usually 20–100 cm tall, with erect or spreading culms. Stems are slender, cylindrical, smooth, and sometimes branched. Leaves are linear, flat, and rough, usually 5–30 cm long and 5–12 mm wide. Leaf blades are green, with rough margins. Leaf sheaths are smooth, and ligules are membranous and hairy. The inflorescence is a dense cylindrical spike-like panicle, usually 5–15 cm long. Spikelets are surrounded by numerous bristles. The bristles possess backward-pointing barbs, causing mature inflorescences to stick strongly to clothing and animal fur. The fruit is a small caryopsis.
Phenology
Ethnobotany & Uses
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Taxonomic Notes
The species is recognized by Retrorsely barbed bristles, Adhesive seed heads. It differs from S. pumila by its rough, sticky inflorescence. UniFlora Field Recognition Tip 🌿. Look for 🌾 Foxtail head, 🧷 Sticky bristles.