Fauna
Plant

Yellow Foxtail

Setaria pumila

Also known as Yellow Bristle-grass, Pigeon Grass, Cattail Grass, Yellow Foxtail Grass

Yellow foxtail forms dense tufts of upright stems topped by soft, brush-like seed heads that shift from green to golden yellow as summer progresses. Native to Eurasia but now ubiquitous in disturbed soils worldwide, this warm-season grass thrives along roadsides, cultivated fields, and vacant lots. Its twisting leaf blades feature a ring of fine hairs at the sheath collar, helping distinguish it from similar turf weeds.

AnnualGrassesEurasian Native
Yellow Foxtail reference1 / 7
(c) Thomas Gyselinck, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Thomas Gyselinck · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic
Predators
  • Granivorous Birds
  • Small Rodents
  • Grazing Livestock
ThreatsHerbicide resistance, weed control management
HabitatsDisturbed soils, roadsides, lawns, agricultural fields, vacant lots
Life spanAnnual (1 season)
Classification
  1. OrderPoales
  2. FamilyPoaceae
  3. GenusSetaria
  4. SpeciesSetaria pumila
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Pollen can trigger hay fever, and dry seed awns can irritate dog paws and ears.
Why it is dangerous
Mature seed awns possess sharp, backward-pointing barbs that easily penetrate pet skin, ears, paws, and eyes, causing severe infection.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for dense, yellowish brush-like seed heads with stiff bristles that become brittle in late summer.
What to do
Keep dogs away from dry weeds in late summer, and inspect paws and ears after walks near field edges.
Responsible observation
  • Identification: Look for a dense fringe of hairs where the leaf blade meets the sheath.
  • Pet Safety: Keep dogs away from dry seed heads to prevent bristles from lodging in ears or paws.
  • Control: Hand-pull young plants before yellow seed bristles mature and drop seeds.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…