Setaria

Setaria is a genus of grasses in the family Poaceae, comprising about 125 species of annual and perennial grasses. They are characterized by slender culms and a distinctive bristly, cylindrical inflorescence that resembles a fox’s tail, giving rise to the common name foxtail grasses. Most species are C4 plants, adapted to warm climates and dry conditions.

The best-known members are Setaria italica, the foxtail millet, a cultivated cereal grown in parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe; and several wild relatives, including Setaria viridis, the green foxtail, a widespread weed in agricultural fields and disturbed habitats. Other noteworthy species include S. verticillata (narrow-leaf foxtail) and S. faberi (giant foxtail), which are common weeds in North America and parts of Europe. Domestication of S. italica from a green foxtail ancestor occurred thousands of years ago.

Habitat and distribution: Setaria species are found worldwide, particularly in temperate and tropical regions. They favor fields, roadsides, and other disturbed environments. Setaria italica is grown for grain, while wild species commonly persist as weeds, though some are used for forage in certain regions.

Ecology and uses: As C4 grasses, they perform well in hot, sunny conditions. Foxtail millet grains are edible and are consumed locally where cultivated; some species are also used as forage or cover crops. Management of foxtail grasses in crops emphasizes timely weed control and, where appropriate, herbicide use.