Foxtail

• Setaria spp.
• Bristlegrass, Knotroot

Grass

Foxtails, here, giant foxtail, are common following disturbance, especially in spring.

Scott Sudkamp, Missouri Department of Conservation
 

Green foxtail.

Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri

Giant foxtail.

Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri

Yellow foxtail.

Kevin Bradley, University of Missouri

Compared with most grass seeds, foxtail seeds are large and energy rich. Bobwhites commonly eat them. (scale divisions = 1 mm)

Fred Fishel, University of Missouri

Description

Most of the foxtails found in the Midwest are native to Europe and Asia. They are annual plants generally considered to be weeds. The common name comes from the appearance of the seed head, which suggests the bushy form of a fox's tail. Foxtails respond well to soil disturbance, especially in the spring. Height at maturity varies by species, but is generally 1-3 feet.

Use by bobwhites

Foxtails are readily used as food by bobwhites. They often occur with other annual weeds in disturbed areas and respond best to spring disking. This response makes foxtail a nuisance in food plots or new grass/forb plantings. Foxtail grows quickly, making it attractive for brood rearing, but heavy stands choke out other plants and tend to lack diversity. It is best with other annual grasses and broadleaves as part of a diverse early successional plant community. Bobwhites roost in foxtail patches early in the fall, but the weak-stemmed structure of the plant makes it prone to flattening from winter rains and snows. Patches of foxtail are generally unusable as cover by late winter, and seeds are unavailable in deep snow.