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COMMON NAME: Green Foxtail
OTHER COMMON NAME(S):
Bottlegrass
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Setaria viridis
FAMILY: Poaceae
COMMUNITY: Edge
STATUS: Naturalized from Europe and Asia
LIFESPAN: Annual
HEIGHT: 8 inches to 8 feet
FLOWERING TIME: Late July to mid September
FRUITING TIME: Late July to mid September
DISTRIBUTION: Throughout New Jersey
IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS:
Long green leaves ~ One golden tufts at end of stems ~ Many nodes and
short branches. Consider
the often quoted rhyme when identifying grasses: “Sedges
have edges, Rushes are
round, Grasses have
joints from their tips to the ground.”
GENERAL INFORMATION:
Green Foxtail is a weed of mostly temperate regions found in fields, gardens
and waste places. The
common name, Foxtail is from the tufts resembling the tail of a fox.
In ancient times and continuing to today this plant family (Poaceae), commonly
known as grasses, have stood between mankind and starvation. For thousands of years grasses have provided
food we eat (wheat, rice, corn, sugar cane, and more) and food for our
domestic livestock. In earlier
times grasses were used to make thatched roofs, mats for floors, bedding,
and kitchen utensils. Indeed, some
made an entire house of a grass species--bamboo--including water-piping,
ladders and furniture. In
early man’s culture, selected grasses were used as writing tools and reeds
provided flutes and similar musical instruments.
Dyed grasses played an ornamental role as part of costumes worn
for ceremonial occasions. Incense was made from grasses. Children
made toy boats, dolls, and other toys with plants in this family.
A good whistle can be made by placing a blade of grass between
the thumbs and blowing across it. On
the darker side, early man made war using grasses for shafts of arrows,
spears, and darts. Swords and knives could be fashioned from bamboo.
Grain that has molded or have a fungus can be toxic.
Ergot, source of Lysergic acid (LSD), was discovered in a fungus
on rye grain. In the Middle Ages, whole towns in Europe suffered
intoxication, insanity and death.
Please note: While harvesting
wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must
adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation
or go off designated trails. This
information is presented for educational purposes.
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