Green Foxtail, Green Pigeon grass
Setaria viridis

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

An annual millet grass. It forms tufts. It can be 70-150 cm tall. The culms are usually bent at the lower nodes. The leaf blades are thin and flat in cross section. They are 5-30 cm long and 3-12 mm wide. The taper to a fine point. The flowers are bristly. The teeth of the bristles point upwards. It is similar to Setaria verticillata except for some flower details.

There are about 130 Setaria species. They are mainly in the tropics and subtropics. It is a widespread weedy plant.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It is drought resistant. It can grow in arid places. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. In Sichuan. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Andorra, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Central Asia, Chile, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, Estonia, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Niger, North Africa, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Slovenia, Socotra, Somalia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Uruguay, USA, West Africa, Yemen, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The seeds are used like millet. They can be boiled, roasted or ground into flour. They are used in cakes and porridge. The roasted seeds are also used as a coffee substitute.

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Almorejo, Capimverde, Cola de zorro, Green Bristle-grass, Guo wei cao, Kucuzii, Lagartera, Rabo-de-raposa, Setaria verde, Urin suul, Zeleni muhvič

Synonyms

Panicum viride L.; Panicum laevigatum Lam.; Panicum reclinatum Vill.; Panicum bicolor Moench.; Pennisetum viride (L.) R. Br.;