2.10.97
Virtual WeedPatch
Weed ID
fox.html
Grass (Graminaceae) Family
Foxtail Species-Group
Bristly foxtail (Setaria verticillata)
Giant foxtail (Setaria faberi)
Green foxtail (Setaria viridis)
Knotroot foxtail (Setaria geniculata)
Yellow foxtail (Setaria glauca)
The foxtails are the #1 weed problem in Iowa, and either the #1 or #2
weed problem in the US (along with the pigweed species-group). Literally
every field, waste area, residental yard, roadside and golf course in Iowa
has an infestation of foxtails.
The foxtails probably arose in Africa. A primal foxtail relative probably
similar to green foxtail then spread from the African continent to Eurasia,
soon infesting areas of Asia, Europe, India, Russia and most other areas.
The plant was domesticated as a grain, today it is often used as a rice
substitute grain in many areas of China, Japan, India and Africa. From Eurasia,
immigrants to the US brought the foxtail species in there luggage, in there
cuffs and pockets, and it spread across the American continent. A similar
introduction occurred in Central and South America. Only knotroot foxtail,
almost identical to yellow foxtail, probably arose independently in the
American continents.
Today, the weedy foxtails infest vast areas around the world. Our weedy
species are found around the northern temperate regions of the world.
To learn more about how to ID this highly diverse and successful weed group
please take a look at:
To learn more about why the foxtails or so incredibly successful around
the world take a gander at this material:
