Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER)

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Setaria pumila
(Poir.) Roem. & Schult., Poaceae
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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Other Latin names:  Setaria glauca auct.; Setaria lutescens (Stuntz) F. T. Hubb.; Setaria pallidefusca (Schumach.) Stapf & C. E. Hubb.; Setaria pumila subsp. pallidefusca; Setaria pumila subsp. pumila

Common name(s): [more details]

Chinese: jin se gou wei cao

English: Queensland pigeon grass, cat's tail grass, horsegrass, pigeon grass, yellow foxtail

French: millet sauvage

Yapese: gatewel

Habit:  grass

Description:  "A tufted annual grass with fibrous roots; stems erect, 25 to 60 cm tall, smooth, slender, often rooting from lower nodes; leaf sheath 3 to 8 cm long, glabrous; blade 10 to 15 cm long, 6 to 10 mm wide, smooth except for a few hairs at base, tapering to a fine tip; ligule a shallow membrane topped with stiff bristles, 1.2 to 1.5 mm long; inflorescence an erect, cylindrical spike-like panicle 2 to 10 cm long with successive short clusters of 2 spikelets (one fertile) each subtended by involucre of 6 to 10 pale yellow, golden, orange or reddish brown to purple persistent bristles; spikelets 2 to 2.5 mm long; lower glume 1- to 3-nerved, 1.4 mm long; upper glume 5-nerved, 1.6 mm long, the nerves joining towards tip; lower floret usually sterile, with flat, obscurely 5- to 7-veined lemma and flat, membranous palea; upper floret fertile, stamens 3, stigmas 2, lemma boat-shaped with prominent transverse wrinkles; palea nearly flat, finely wrinkled; both lemma and palea hard and leathery when mature; fruit a caryopsis 1.4 mm long with coarsely rugose back, nearly flat face and punctiform hilum; apex 3-toothed, dark.  This species is characterized by the smooth, fine-pointed leaves, hairy ligule and purplish red bristles of young inflorescences that turn yellow to golden brown when mature" (Holm et al., 1997; p. 767).

"Nearly glabrous perennial [grass]; culms to 50 cm long, somewhat branched at base; pubescent just beneath the panicle; blades linear, 10-24 cm long with hairs near the ligule, the ligule of short hairs; sheaths slightly flattened, glabrous; panicle cylindric, to 10 cm long, yellow, the axils pilose-scabrous with spreading bristles 8-10 mm long beneath each spikelet; spikelets ovate, 2-2.5 mm long, pale; first glume 3-nerved, half as long as the spikelet; second glume 5-nerved; sterile lemma equaling the spikelet and 5-nerved; fertile lemma ovate, finely rugulose, obtuse, shiny" (Stone, 1970; pp. 224-225).

Description from GrassBase.

Habitat/ecology:  "Infests dryland crops, roadsides, waste areas, ditches and occasionally grasslands.  It is adapted to a wide range of soils and climates and is especially well suited to dry soil conditions"  (Holm et al., 1997; p. 767).

Tonga, "occasional in open areas" (Yuncker, 1959; p. 62). In New Caledonia, "commun en terrains vagues et bords de chemins" (MacKee, 1994; p. 62).

Propagation:  Barbed seeds carried in fur, feathers or clothing.

Native range:  Old World tropics; probably native to Micronesia.

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. &
Island group
Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction?
Reference &
Comments
American Samoa
Manu‘a Islands
Ta‘u Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1976) (voucher ID: BISH 430395)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
American Samoa
Tutuila Islands
Tutuila Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1975) (voucher ID: BISH 430370)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Australia (Pacific offshore islands)
Norfolk Islands
Norfolk Island introduced
invasive
Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 12)
Subsp. pallidefusca (Schumach.) B.K. Simon "A locally common weed". Vouchers cited: W.R. Sykes NI 359 (CHR), W.R. Sykes NI 999 (CHR)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Northern Mariana Islands
Agrigan (Agrihan) Island native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (pp. 58-59)
?
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Northern Mariana Islands
Alamagan Island native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (pp. 58-59)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Northern Mariana Islands
Alamagan Island introduced
Ohba, T. (1994) (p. 65)
Voucher cited: CBM-BS-59226
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Northern Mariana Islands
Pagan Island native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (pp. 58-59)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Northern Mariana Islands
Rota Island native
Raulerson, L. (2006) (p. 12)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Northern Mariana Islands
Rota Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1985) (voucher ID: BISH 572168)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Northern Mariana Islands
Rota Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 588182)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Northern Mariana Islands
Tinian Island native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (pp. 58-59)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US)
Saipan
Saipan Island native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (pp. 58-59)
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands
‘Atiu Island   McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands
‘Atiu Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1991) (voucher ID: BISH 664863)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands
Mangaia Island   McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands
Rarotonga Island   McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands
Rarotonga Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1977) (voucher ID: BISH 415799)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands
Rarotonga Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1977) (voucher ID: BISH 420149)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands
Rarotonga Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1990) (voucher ID: BISH 666484)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Cook Islands
Southern Cook Islands
Rarotonga Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1990) (voucher ID: BISH 667938)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Federated States of Micronesia
Yap Islands
Yap (Waqab) Island native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (pp. 58-59)
Federated States of Micronesia
Yap Islands
Yap (Waqab) Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1948) (voucher ID: BISH 126824)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Fiji
Fiji Islands
Kandavu Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1955) (voucher ID: BISH 31613)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Fiji
Fiji Islands
Ovalau Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1924) (voucher ID: BISH 126787)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Fiji
Fiji Islands
Taveuni Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 126786)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Fiji
Fiji Islands
Vanua Levu Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1947) (voucher ID: BISH 126785)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Fiji
Fiji Islands
Viti Levu Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1954) (voucher ID: BISH 31612)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Fiji
Fiji Islands
Viti Levu Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1954) (voucher ID: BISH 31627)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Fiji
Fiji Islands
Viti Levu Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 126782)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Fiji
Fiji Islands
Viti Levu Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1927) (voucher ID: BISH 126783)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Fiji
Fiji Islands
Viti Levu Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1927) (voucher ID: BISH 126784)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Fiji
Fiji Islands
Viti Levu Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1927) (voucher ID: BISH 126788)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Fiji
Fiji Islands
Viti Levu Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1947) (voucher ID: BISH 126789)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Fiji
Fiji Islands
Viti Levu Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 126790)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Fiji
Fiji Islands
Viti Levu Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1942) (voucher ID: BISH 126791)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Fiji
Fiji Islands
Viti Levu Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1977) (voucher ID: BISH 415783)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
French Polynesia
Marquesas Islands
Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island introduced
invasive
Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013)
As Setaria pallide-fusca. Voucher cited: B. Toutain 4247 (PAP)
Adventice
French Polynesia
Marquesas Islands
Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 491178)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
French Polynesia
Society Islands
Tahiti Island introduced
invasive
Welsh, S. L. (1998) (p. 344)
Voucher cited: Florence 9790
French Polynesia
Society Islands
Tahiti Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1983) (voucher ID: BISH 558169)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
French Polynesia
Austral (Tubuai) Islands
Rimatara (Rimitara) Island introduced
invasive
Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013)
As Setaria pallidefusca (C.F. Schumacher) O. Stapf & C.E. Hubbard
Adventice
French Polynesia
Austral (Tubuai) Islands
Rurutu Island introduced
invasive
Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013)
As Setaria pallidefusca (C.F. Schumacher) O. Stapf & C.E. Hubbard. Voucher cited: J. Florence 9196 (PAP)
Adventice
French Polynesia
Austral (Tubuai) Islands
Tubuai Island introduced
invasive
Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013)
As Setaria pallidefusca (C.F. Schumacher) O. Stapf & C.E. Hubbard
Adventice
Guam
Guam Island
Guam Island native
Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (pp. 224-225)
Vouchers cited: MacGregor 383, G.E.S. 15, G.E.S. 61
Guam
Guam Island
Guam Island native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (pp. 58-59)
Guam
Guam Island
Guam Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (year unknown) (voucher ID: BISH 126819)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Guam
Guam Island
Guam Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1911) (voucher ID: BISH 126823)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Guam
Guam Island
Guam Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 588170)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Japan (offshore islands)
Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands
Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands   Kato, Hidetoshi (2007)
Japan (offshore islands)
Minami Tori Shima (Marcus) Island
Minami Tori Shima (Marcus) Island native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (pp. 58-59)
?
Marshall Islands
Ralik Chain
Enewetak (Ãnewetak, Eniwetok) Atoll native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (pp. 58-59)
New Caledonia
New Caledonia Archipelago
Île Grande Terre introduced
invasive
MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 62)
Voucher cited: MacKee 11464
New Caledonia
New Caledonia Archipelago
Île Grande Terre   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1992) (voucher ID: BISH 654878)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
New Caledonia
New Caledonia Archipelago
Île des Pins (Isle of Pines)   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1948) (voucher ID: BISH 126820)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
New Zealand (offshore islands)
Kermadec Islands
Kermadec Islands introduced
invasive
Edgar, E./Connor, H. (2000) (p. 586)
"Open pasture, waste places, roadsides, footpaths, old gardens, cultivated ground".
New Zealand (offshore islands)
Kermadec Islands
Raoul Island introduced
invasive
Sykes, W. R. (1977) (p. 176)
New Zealand (offshore islands)
Kermadec Islands
Raoul Island introduced
Sykes, W. R./West, C. J. (1996) (p. 458)
Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group)
Babeldaob Island native
Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (pp. 58-59)
Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group)
Babeldaob Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1997) (voucher ID: BISH 697858)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Palau
Palau (Belau ) (main island group)
Babeldaob Island   Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1981) (voucher ID: BNM 3089)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Schum.) Stapf. & Hubb.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)
Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)   Henty, E. E. (1969) (p. 172)
Throughout New Guinea, from sea level to at least 6,000 ft.; scattered in open grassland, on roadsides and headlands, and a weed of cultivation.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)
Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island) introduced
invasive
Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 765)
Philippines
Philippine Islands
Philippine Islands introduced
invasive
Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 765)
Pitcairn Islands
Pitcairn Islands
Pitcairn Island introduced
St. John, H. (1987) (p. 24)
Voucher cited: St. John 15016
Pitcairn Islands
Pitcairn Islands
Pitcairn Island introduced
invasive
Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013)
As Setaria pallidefusca (C.F. Schumacher) O. Stapf & C.E. Hubbard
Adventice
Samoa
Western Samoa Islands
Savai‘i Island introduced
invasive
Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 71)
Samoa
Western Samoa Islands
Upolu Island introduced
invasive
Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 68)
Samoa
Western Samoa Islands
Upolu Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1893) (voucher ID: BISH 126810)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Samoa
Western Samoa Islands
Upolu Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1973) (voucher ID: BISH 417485)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands   Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 96)
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands native
Hancock, I. R./Henderson, C. P. (1988) (p. 109)
Tonga
Ha‘apai Group
Ha‘ano Island introduced
invasive
Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 75)
Tonga
Ha‘apai Group
Nomuka Island   Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 62)
Voucher cited: Yuncker 15826
Tonga
Ha‘apai Group
Nomuka Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 126813)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Tonga
Tonga Islands
Tonga Islands   Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 62)
"Occasional throughout Tonga".
Tonga
Tongatapu Group
‘Eua Island   Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 62)
Voucher cited: Yuncker 15445
Tonga
Tongatapu Group
‘Eua Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 126812)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Tonga
Tongatapu Group
Tongatapu Island introduced
invasive
Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 56)
Tonga
Tongatapu Group
Tongatapu Island   Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 62)
Voucher cited: Yuncker 15152
Tonga
Tongatapu Group
Tongatapu Island   Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1926) (voucher ID: BISH 126811)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
Tonga
Tongatapu Group
Tongatapu Island   National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2001) (voucher ID: PTBG 34305)
Taxon name on voucher: Setaria pumila (oir.) Roem. & Schult
Vanuatu
New Hebrides Islands
Vanuatu (Republic of)   Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 96)
Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. &
Island group
Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction?
Reference &
Comments
Australia
Australia (continental)
New South Wales introduced
invasive
Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 735)
Australia
Australia (continental)
Queensland introduced
invasive
Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 735)
China
China
China (People's Republic of)   Li-ying, Li/Ren, Wang/Waterhouse, D. F. (1997) (p. 174)
China
China
Hong Kong native
Wu, Te-lin (2001) (p. 347)
As Setaria glauca (L.) Beauv. In forests, on hillslopes, along roadside and in wasteland. As Setaria pallidefusca (Schumach.) Stapf & Hubb. [= Setaria pumila subsp. pallidefusca]. On hillslopes, in wet places.
Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia (Republic of) introduced
invasive
Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 765)
Japan
Japan
Japan introduced
invasive
Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 765)
Malaysia
Malaysia
Malaysia (country of) introduced
invasive
Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 765)
New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand (country) introduced
invasive
Edgar, E./Connor, H. (2000) (p. 586)
"Open pasture, waste places, roadsides, footpaths, old gardens, cultivated ground".
South America (Pacific rim)
South America (Pacific rim)
Colombia introduced
invasive
Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 765)
Thailand
Thailand
Thailand (Kingdom of) introduced
invasive
Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 765)
Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam (Socialist Republic of) introduced
invasive
Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 765)
Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. &
Island group
Location Cited status &
Cited as invasive &
Cited as cultivated &
Cited as aboriginal introduction?
Reference &
Comments
Mauritius
Mautitius Islands (Mauritius and Rodrigues)
Mauritius Island introduced
invasive
Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 768)

Comments:  Should not be introduced where it's not present.

Control:  If you know of control methods for Setaria pumila, please let us know.


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This page was created on 1 JAN 1999 and was last updated on 30 NOV 2008.