Chinese foxtail (Setaria faberi, Beitr. Biol. Pflanzen 10: 51 (1910))

Family: Poaceae

Author: R.A.W.Herrm.

Bibliography: Beitr. Biol. Pflanzen 10: 51 (1910)

Year: 1910

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Setaria

Vegetable: False

Observations: W. Siberia, Russian Far East to China, Temp. E. Asia

Description

Chinese foxtail, known scientifically as Setaria faberi, is a notable species of grass from the Poaceae family, first described by R.A.W. Herrm. in 1910 in “Beiträge zur Biologie der Pflanzen.” This resilient plant is predominantly found across vast regions, including Western Siberia, the Russian Far East, extending to China, and throughout temperate Eastern Asia.

The Chinese foxtail thrives in a variety of environments, which underscores its adaptability and vigour. Favoring temperate climates, it commonly occupies agricultural fields, disturbed sites, and various open areas, where it can frequently be seen growing in dense clusters. These zones provide the optimal conditions for its growth, primarily due to the well-drained soils and open sunlight they offer.

Morphologically, the plant presents a characteristic bristly appearance, which gives it the common name “foxtail.” The seed heads or inflorescences resemble the tail of a fox, made up of a central stem with numerous long, hair-like bracts. This unique structure aids in seed dispersal, as the bracts can easily attach to animals or be carried by wind, ensuring the spread of the species across wide areas.

Ecologically, Setaria faberi plays a significant role in its native habitats. It serves as a food source for various herbivores and a shelter for many small animals and insects. However, due to its robust nature and aggressive growth, it can also be considered a weed in some agricultural settings, posing competition to crops and potentially impeding agricultural productivity.

Efforts to manage Chinese foxtail involve a combination of mechanical, chemical, and perhaps biological controls to reduce its spread and impact, particularly in farming areas where it may become problematic. Understanding its growth patterns, ecological preferences, and effective management strategies is crucial for mitigating its effects when necessary.

Engaging with this plant from a botanical perspective reveals much about its life cycle and how it interacts within its ecosystem. For researchers and ecologists, Setaria faberi offers an interesting case study in the balance between native flora thriving in their environments and the challenges they can pose within human-altered landscapes.

Common Names

Eng: chinese foxtail, giant foxtail, japanese bristlegrass, nodding bristle grass, nodding bristle-grass, giant bristlegrass, nodding foxtail
Deu: faber-borstenhirse, fabers borstenhirse
Dan: faber-skærmaks, fabers skærmaks
Lit: faberio šerytė
Ita: setaria di faber
Fra: sétaire, sétaire géante
Ces: bér ohnutý
Nld: chinese naaldaar
Swe: kinesisk kavelhirs
Cym: cibogwellt pendrwm
En: Chinese foxtail, Japanese bristlegrass, Nodding Bristle-grass, Giant foxtail, Nodding bristle grass, Giant bristlegrass, Nodding foxtail
Cs: Bér ohnutý
Da: Faber-skærmaks, Fabers skærmaks
Nl: Chinese naaldaar
Fr: Sétaire, Sétaire géante
De: Faber-Borstenhirse, Fabers Borstenhirse
It: Setaria di Faber
Lt: Faberio šerytė
Sv: Kinesisk kavelhirs
Cy: Cibogwellt Pendrwm

Synonyms

• Setaria macrocarpa (Luchnik)
• Setaria autumnalis (Ohwi)

Distribution

• Amur (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Japan (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Kriti (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Transcaucasus (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Feb 22, 2021 by Syr Asd (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2022 by F. Manzano (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2021 by fulai fulai (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2021 by 道草 (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 3, 2022 by Markus Ertmer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2022 by 道草 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 4, 2022 by 道草 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2021 by 道草 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2021 by 道草 (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 15, 2022 by F. Manzano (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 17, 2021 by fulai fulai (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5289666)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:421548-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Setaria faberi R.A.W.Herrm.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth