Plant · GBIF taxon 5289684
Green Bristle Grass
Setaria viridisAlso known as Green Foxtail, Wild Foxtail Millet, Green Bristlegrass
Green bristle grass produces dense, cylindrical flower heads bristling with soft green hairs that turn yellowish brown as seeds mature. This fast-growing annual thrives in disturbed soil, rapidly colonizing field edges, roadsides, and urban cracks through prolific seed production. As the direct wild ancestor of cultivated foxtail millet, it provides abundant seeds for songbirds while competing vigorously with agricultural crops.
AnnualGrassWeedy
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil Nitrates
Predators
- Songbirds
- Small Rodents
- Grazing Livestock
ThreatsHerbicides, intensive cultivation, concrete paving
HabitatsDisturbed soil, agricultural fields, roadsides, lawns, urban spaces
Life spanAnnual (1 year)
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderPoales
- FamilyPoaceae
- GenusSetaria
- SpeciesSetaria viridis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance; dry seed bristles can occasionally irritate pet ears or paws.
Responsible observation
- Identification: Look for soft green bristly seed heads that uprightly resemble a fox tail.
- Pet Care: Check dog paws and ears after walking near dry grass to remove stuck seed bristles.
Domesticated Crop STRONGlk7 / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Seed Consumer (c) jraus, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Thomas Gyselinck, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Thomas Gyselinck · cc-by
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