Setaria faberi

Setaria faberi R.A.W. Herrm.
Family: Poaceae, Tribe: Paniceae

Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)

Setaria autumnalis Ohwi, S. macrocarpa Luchnik

Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)

giant foxtail

Primary Disseminule Type

spikelet

Description (diagnostics are in brown)

Spikelet subtended by fascicle of 1–3(6) bristles measuring 10–18 mm long, flexible, antrorsely scabrous, glabrous. Disarticulation above the bristles. Spikelet ovate, dorsally compressed, plano-convex (D-shaped in profile), 2.5–3 mm long x 1.3–1.8 mm wide x 1–1.4 mm thick, falling entire, consisting of one fertile floret and one basal sterile floret without rachilla extension.

Glumes ovate, shorter than spikelet, thinner than fertile lemma, membranous, without keels. Lower glume 1–1.3 mm long, 0.33–0.5 length of spikelet, enwrapping base of spikelet, 3-veined, apex acute. Upper glume1.9–2.2(2.5) mm long, 0.66–0.75 length of spikelet, 5-veined, apex obtuse.

Sterile lemma similar to glumes (membranous), elliptic, same length as spikelet, 7-veined, apex acute to obtuse. Sterile palea about 0.66 length of sterile lemma.

Fertile lemma elliptic, dorsally compressed, convex in profile, 2.7–3 mm long, yellow to straw-colored, usually with satiny sheen, indurate, without keel, surface strongly and finely ridged transversely, ridges much reduced toward the apex, margins involute, apex acute.

Fertile palea indurate, margins involute.

Caryopsis broadly elliptic, 1.4–2 mm long x 1.2–1.4 mm wide, dark green, embryo >0.66 length of caryopsis, hilum round.