Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguélen
Family: Poaceae, Tribe: Paniceae
Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)
Setaria gracilis Kunth, S. geniculata (Lam.) P. Beauv.
Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)
knotroot foxtail
Primary Disseminule Type
spikelet
Description (diagnostics are in brown)
Spikelet subtended by fascicle of 4–12 bristles measuring 1.5–8 mm long, antrorsely scaberulous, glabrous. Disarticulation above the bristles. Spikelet pedicelled (reduced to a stump, tip cupuliform), lanceolate to elliptic, dorsally compressed, plano-convex (D-shaped in profile), 2–2.8(3) mm long x 1–1.3(1.5) mm wide x 1–1.25 mm thick, falling entire, consisting of one fertile floret and one basal sterile floret without rachilla extension.
Glumes shorter than spikelet, thinner than fertile lemma, ovate, membranous, without keels, apices acute. Lower glume (0.7)1.1–1.4 mm long (ca. 0.33 length of spikelet), enwrapping base of spikelet, 3(5)-veined. Upper glume 1.3–1.8(2) mm long, 0.5–0.66 length of spikelet, 5-veined.
Sterile lemma ovate, same length as spikelet, membranous to indurate, faintly transversely rugose, 5-veined, apex acute. Sterile palea same length as sterile lemma.
Fertile lemma lanceolate to elliptic, dorsally compressed, convex in profile, 2–2.6 mm long, yellow or greenish to dark brown, usually with satiny sheen, indurate, without keel, surface strongly ridged transversely, margins involute, apex acute.
Fertile palea indurate, surface rugose, glabrous, margins involute.
Caryopsis elliptic, 1.5–2 mm long x 0.9–1 mm long, yellowish translucent, embryo >0.66 length of caryopsis, hilum round.
Similar Species
Similar Species Comparison Chart
Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)
AUQP, NZBORIC, NZBPI