Green Foxtail

Green foxtail (Setaria viridis) is an invasive, annual grass considered to be a noxious weed, found throughout Europe, North Africa, Asia, and North America. It has decumbent or erect stems which grow up to a 1-2 meters tall. It produces a dense, compact, spikelike panicle inflorescence with sharp spikelets---also referred to as awns. These awns have sharp ends which can penetrate the soft tissues of the mouth when ruminants chew and become embedded in the skin, causing inflammation, irritation, redness, and draining sores with purulent discharge.