Yellow Foxtail
Setaria pumila · Warm-season, Annual, C4
Grass Family
Poaceae, Subfamily Panicoideae, Tribe Paniceae
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass
Variety / Cultivar
Common Yellow Foxtail (Wild type)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-11; annual life cycle allows it to survive northern winters as seeds; thrives in summer heat.
About This Grass
An upright, clump-forming annual grass that typically grows 1-3 feet tall. It is characterized by its distinctive 'bristly' cylindrical seed head that resembles a fox's tail, turning yellow to orange-brown at maturity.
Blade Characteristics
Blades are flat, 4-12mm wide (coarse), light green, with a spiral twist. A key identifier is the presence of long, sparse, kinky white hairs near the leaf base on the upper surface. Ligule is a fringe of hairs; auricles are absent.
Root System
Shallow, fibrous root system; lacks rhizomes or stolons but establishes rapidly from seed in disturbed soils.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and Asia; widely naturalized across North America
Growth Habit
Bunch-type; aggressive annual that re-seeds prolifically
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full Sun; thrives in high-light environments. Moderate water needs but highly drought tolerant once established; adapts to various soil pH levels.
Mowing & Maintenance
High maintenance for control; requires frequent low mowing to prevent seed head formation. Tolerates close mowing (under 2 inches) which often results in prostrate seed heads.
Special Characteristics
Distinctive yellow/orange bristles on seed heads; highly competitive in gardens and thin lawns; seeds remain viable in soil for many years.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Invasive in North America. Provides food for some birds and small mammals via seeds, but generally considered a nuisance weed that displaces desirable forage and turf.