Status:
valid
Authors:
(L.) P.Beauv.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1812
Citation Micro:
Ess. Agrostogr. : 51 (1812)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000899281
Common Names
- Setaria italica
- Italian Foxtail
- Italian Green Foxtail
Description
Setaria italica (also called Italian Foxtail, among many other common names) is an annual grass species native to Africa, found in dry grasslands, savannas, and open woodlands. It has a tufted habit and grows to a height of 0.3-1 m. The leaves are linear and up to 25 cm long. The inflorescence is a panicle of spikelets, each spikelet containing several flowers.
Uses & Benefits
Setaria italica is used as a forage crop, as an ornamental plant, and for soil stabilization. It can also be used to make rope, mats, and baskets.
Cultivars, Varieties & Sub-species
Setaria italica var. macrochaeta (Körn.) Dekapr. & Kaspar.
Setaria italica var. lobata (Körn.) Dekapr. & Kaspar.
Setaria italica var. metzgeri (Körn.) Jáv.
Setaria italica var. atra (Körn.) F.T.Hubb.
Setaria italica for. gigas (Körn.) F.T.Hubb.
Setaria italica var. rubra (Körn.) F.T.Hubb.
Setaria italica for. aurantiaca (Körn.) F.T.Hubb.
Setaria italica for. breviseta F.T.Hubb.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Setaria italica is a small, yellow-green spikelet with three to five florets. The seed is a small, dark brown grain. The seedling is a small, slender grass with a single leaf blade.
Cultivation and Propagation
Setaria italica is an annual grass native to the Mediterranean region. It is a fast-growing grass that can reach up to 1.5 m in height. It is best grown in full sun and in well-drained, fertile soils. It can be propagated from seed, which should be sown in spring or early summer. It can also be propagated from cuttings.
Where to Find Setaria italica
Setaria italica can be found in the Mediterranean region, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East.
Species in the Setaria genus
Setaria albovillosa,
Setaria alonsoi,
Setaria apiculata,
Setaria appendiculata,
Setaria arizonica,
Setaria atrata,
Setaria australiensis,
Setaria austrocaledonica,
Setaria aversa,
Setaria barbata,
Setaria barbinodis,
Setaria basiclada,
Setaria bathiei,
Setaria bosseri,
Setaria brigalow,
Setaria brownii,
Setaria cernua,
Setaria chapmanii,
Setaria chondrachne,
Setaria clementii,
Setaria clivalis,
Setaria constricta,
Setaria cordobensis,
Setaria corrugata,
Setaria criniformis,
Setaria dielsii,
Setaria distans,
Setaria distantiflora,
Setaria elegantula,
Setaria faberi,
Setaria fiebrigii,
Setaria finita,
Setaria flavida,
Setaria forbesiana,
Setaria gausa,
Setaria geminata,
Setaria globoidea,
Setaria globulifera,
Setaria gracillima,
Setaria grandis,
Setaria grandispiculata,
Setaria grisebachii,
Setaria guizhouensis,
Setaria hassleri,
Setaria homonyma,
Setaria humbertiana,
Setaria hunzikeri,
Setaria incrassata,
Setaria intermedia,
Setaria italica,
Species in the Poaceae family
Achnatherum pekinense,
Achnatherum pubicalyx,
Achnatherum sibiricum,
Achnatherum turcomanicum,
Achnatherum brandisii,
Achnatherum bromoides,
Achnatherum calamagrostis,
Achnatherum confusum,
Achnatherum inebrians,
Achnatherum jacquemontii,
Achnatherum virescens,
Achnatherum paradoxum,
Achnatherum nakaii,
Achnatherum pelliotii,
Achnatherum haussknechtii,
Achnatherum mandavillei,
Achnatherum pilosum,
Achnatherum parviflorum,
Achnatherum staintonii,
Aciachne acicularis,
Aciachne flagellifera,
Aciachne pulvinata,
Acidosasa breviclavata,
Acidosasa brilletii,
Acidosasa chinensis,
Acidosasa edulis,
Acidosasa glauca,
Acidosasa guangxiensis,
Acidosasa lingchuanensis,
Acidosasa nanunica,
Acidosasa notata,
Acidosasa purpurea,
Acidosasa venusta,
Acidosasa carinata,
Acostia gracilis,
Acrachne henrardiana,
Acrachne perrieri,
Acrachne racemosa,
Acritochaete volkensii,
Acroceras amplectens,
Acroceras attenuatum,
Acroceras boivinii,
Acroceras bosseri,
Acroceras calcicola,
Acroceras chaseae,
Acroceras diffusum,
Acroceras elegans,
Acroceras excavatum,
Acroceras fluminense,
Acroceras gabunense,
References
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1207294-2: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].