Setaria verticillata (L.) P.Beauv., Poaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Other Latin names:  Panicum verticillatum L.; Pennisetum verticillatum R. Br.

Common name(s): [more details]

Chinese: dao ci gou wei cao

English: bristly foxtail, bur bristle grass, bur grass, foxtail, hooked bristlegrass, rough bristle grass, whorled pigeon grass

French: setaire verticillée

Hawaiian: mau‘ pilipili

Spanish: almorejo, amor de hortelano, carreig, cola de zorro, panissola, pata de gallina, pega-pega, rabo de zorro

Habit:  grass

Description:  "Tufted annuals; culms (2-) 3-10 dm tall, often geniculate and branching at lower nodes, glabrous except above near the panicles.  Sheaths compressed-keeled, glabrous, the upper margins ciliate; ligule ciliate, 0.7-2 mm long; blades flat, 5-10 (-13) mm wide, glabrous to scaberulous, sometimes sparsely pilose, margins scabrous.  Panicles yellowish-green to purple-tinged, densely flowered, cylindrical, (2-) 4-10 (-12) cm long, axis densely retrorsely hispidulous, primary branches short, verticillate, spikelets several to numerous per branch, subtended by 1 (-2) bristle(s), the bristles 2-4.5 (-6) mm long, retrorsely scabrous; glumes unequal, first glume broadly ovate, 0.5-0.7 (-1.2) mm long, ca. 1/3 as long as the spikelet, 1 (-3)-nerved, apex obtuse, sometimes mucronate, second glume ovate, 1.6-2 mm long, slightly shorter than first lemma, 5-7-nerved, apex rounded; first lemma 1.5-2.4 mm long, 7-nerved, apex rounded; first palea small, membranous; second lemma ovate, 1.8-2.3 mm long, weakly 3-nerved, finely transverse-rugose; second palea similar in texture to second lemma.  Caryopsis pale brown, broadly ovoid, slightly dorsiventrally compressed, 1.2-1.5 mm long" (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1593).

Description from GrassBase.

Habitat/ecology:  "In general the weed grows in cultivated and disturbed places.  Because the seed heads stick to clothing, the plant soon finds its way into gardens.  It thrives in waste places as well.  In many places in the world it seems to prefer damp, shady sites" (Holm et al., 1977; pp. 416, 419).

In Hawai‘i, "naturalized and common in dry, disturbed areas, including coastal sites, along roadsides, urban areas, agricultural land, and kiawe forest, 0-820 m" (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1593).

Propagation:  Seed. "The fruits, with their retrorsely barbed bristles, are distributed by small mammals; and of late by stockings and trousers" (Stone, 1970; p. 225).

Native range:  Europe, widely naturalized (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1593).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Lord Howe Island	Lord Howe Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 23) "An introduced weed, especially of cultivated and open land, as it is in most tropical and warm temperate regions of the world". Vouchers cited: A.C. Beauglehole 5455 (CANB, MEL), L.M. Bingley 9 (K)
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Norfolk Islands	Norfolk Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 12) "An introduced weed, especially of cultivated and open land, as it is in most tropical and warm temperate regions of the world". Voucher cited: F.E.T. Suckling (CHR)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced invasive	Josekutty, P. C./Wakuk, E. E./Joseph, M. J. (2002) (p. 63)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hatuta'a (Hatutu) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hatuta'a (Hatutu) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Vouchers cited: J.-C. Thibault 1116 (PAP), J. Florence & M. Teikiteetini 9401 (PAP) Adventice
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Hiva Oa Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Adventice
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Mohotani (Mohotane, Mohotane) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Vouchers cited: B. Toutain 4215 (PAP), D.H. Lorence & W.L. Wagner 6264 (PAP) Adventice
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1988) (voucher ID: PTBG 8503) Taxon name on voucher: Setaria verticillata
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced invasive	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Adventice
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Setaria aff. verticillata. Voucher cited: J. Florence 2880 (PAP) Adventice
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 225)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 59)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	French Frigate Shoals	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1593)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1593)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaho‘olawe Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1593)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1593)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kure Atoll	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1593)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kure Atoll	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Martz, Kim/Loope, Lloyd (2001) (p. 16) Occasional in open areas.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Lāna‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1593)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Ni‘ihau, Lehua Islet	introduced invasive	Wood, K. R./LeGrande, Maya (2006) (p. 27) Voucher cited: K.R. Wood et al. 11349 (BISH, PTBG)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1593)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1593)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Nihoa Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1593)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Ni‘ihau Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1593)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1593) Voucher cited: Heller 1961 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Pearl and Hermes Reef	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1593)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Pearl and Hermes Reef	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Martz, Kim (1999) (pp. 17, 18, 20) North Island: Scattered over the entire island with a few large patches on the north part of the island. Collected on Seal/Kittery Island. Southeast Island: Large bands of it around the east side. Smaller patches on the west side.
Kiribati Phoenix Islands	Kanton Island	introduced	Luomala, Katharine (1951) (p. 172)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Enewetak (Ãnewetak, Eniwetok) Atoll	introduced invasive	St. John, Harold (1960) (p. 323) Vouchers cited: Fsoberg 24392, Fosberg 24327, Taylor 46-1288
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Enewetak (Ãnewetak, Eniwetok) Atoll	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R. (1955) (p. 4) Vouchers cited: Fosberg 24327 (US), Fosberg 24392 (US)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. Raymond (1990) (p. 34)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands		Merrill, Elmer D. (1925) (p. 74) In open waste places.
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Henderson Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R./Paulay, Gustav/Spencer, T./Oliver, Royce (1989) (p. 3) Voucher cited: Paulay & Spencer 660 (US)
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Pitcairn Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Paulay, Gustav/Spencer, T./Oliver, Royce (1989) (p. 12) Voucher cited: Paulay, Spencer & Schuster 674 (US)
Pitcairn Islands Pitcairn Islands	Pitcairn Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 10764 (PAP) Adventice
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Johnston Atoll	Johnston Island	introduced invasive	Amerson, A. Binion, Jr./Shelton, Philip C. (1976) (p. 53)
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Midway Atoll	Eastern Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd (2008) (pp. B-13)
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Midway Atoll	Midway Atoll	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1593)
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Midway Atoll	Sand Island	introduced invasive	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd (2008) (pp. B-13)
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Wake Islands	Wake Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 59)
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Wake Islands	Wake Island	introduced invasive	Fosberg, F. R. (1955) (p. 4) Voucher cited: Fosberg 34470 (US)

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 G./Plucknett, D. L./Pancho, J. V./Herberger, J. P. (1977) (p. 418)
Australia Australia (continental)	Australia (continental)		Hafliger, Ernst/Scholz, Hildemar (1980) (p. 132)
China China	China (People's Republic of)		Hafliger, Ernst/Scholz, Hildemar (1980) (p. 132)
China China	Hong Kong	native	Wu, Te-lin (2001) (p. 347)
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy G./Plucknett, D. L./Pancho, J. V./Herberger, J. P. (1977) (p. 419)
Japan Japan	Japan	introduced	Mito, Toshikazu/Uesugi, Tetsuro (2004) (p. 192) var. verticillata and var. ambigua Parl.
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)		Hafliger, Ernst/Scholz, Hildemar (1980) (p. 132)
New Zealand New Zealand	New Zealand (country)	introduced invasive	Edgar, E./Connor, H. (2000) (p. 587) "Commonly a garden and crop weed (especially of maize in North Id), waste land, roadsides, footpaths".
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Chile (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy G./Plucknett, D. L./Pancho, J. V./Herberger, J. P. (1977) (p. 418)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Perú (Republic of)	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy G./Plucknett, D. L./Pancho, J. V./Herberger, J. P. (1977) (p. 418)
Thailand Thailand	Thailand (Kingdom of)	introduced invasive	Holm, Leroy G./Plucknett, D. L./Pancho, J. V./Herberger, J. P. (1977) (p. 418)

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		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (p. 334)

Comments:  For Fijian plants previously identified as this species see Pennisetum glaucum.

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