Foxtail Grass

Giant foxtail a.k.a. Japanese bristlegrass, Joncaire Street, 6 August 2026 (photo by Kate St. John) 11 August 2026 On a walk last week on Joncaire Street near Schenley Park I was struck by the size and diversity of the weeds by the sidewalk, especially the grasses. Why look at weeds? Peter Del Tredici explains in Wild Urban Plants of the Northeast that cities have become novel (“new”) ecosystems. We have a mix of natives and aliens, never seen before, that survive and even thrive in the cities’ microhabitats. Weeds are the thrivers so they’re worth a look. One thriver I did not notice at Joncaire — I probably ignored it — is green foxtail (Setaria viridis) or green brittlegrass. It grows everywhere in disturbed soil, vacant lots, the cracks in sidewalks, in lawns and along roads. According to Wikipedia it is very common and the wild antecedent of the crop foxtail millet. I’ve seen birds eat it when the seeds are ripe. Green foxtail (Setaria viridis) is a common roadside grass (photo…