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Setaria viridis - (L.)P.Beauv.

Common Name Green Bristle Grass
Family Poaceae or Gramineae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Dry places and cultivated ground[89]. Mountain slopes, roadsides and grassy waste places throughout most of China[266].
Range Europe to E. Asia - Japan. A casual in Britain[17].
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Setaria viridis Green Bristle Grass


biolib.de
Setaria viridis Green Bristle Grass

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Setaria viridis is a ANNUAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.1 m (0ft 4in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses: Coffee

Seed[105]. Small[159]. It is used in the same ways as rice or millet, either boiled, roasted or ground into a flour[183]. The seed (roasted?) is said to be a coffee substitute.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Diuretic  Emollient  Febrifuge  Poultice  Tonic

The seed is diuretic, emollient, febrifuge, refrigerant and tonic[218]. The plant is crushed and mixed with water then used as an external application in the treatment of bruises[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in any well-drained soil in full sun[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination is usually quick and good. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on fast. Plant them out in late spring, after the last expected frosts. Whilst this is fine for small quantities, it would be an extremely labour intensive method if larger amounts were to be grown. The seed can be sown in situ in the middle of spring though it is then later in coming into flower and may not ripen its seed in a cool summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Cyprus, Egypt (Sinai), Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Russian Federation-Ciscaucasia (Ciscaucasia), Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation (Dagestan), Russian Federation-Western Siberia (Western Siberia), Russian Federation-Eastern Siberia (Eastern Siberia), Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Russian Federation-Far East (Far East), China, Japan, Taiwan TROPICAL ASIA: India (northeast), Nepal, Pakistan EUROPE: Denmark, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russian Federation (Kalmykija, Respublika, Astrakhan, Saratov, Volgogradskaja oblast), Ukraine (incl. Krym), Albania, Bulgaria, Greece (incl. Crete), Croatia, Italy (incl. Sardinia, Sicily), Romania, Slovenia, Spain (incl. Baleares), France (incl. Corsica), Portugal AFRICA: Spain (Canarias), Portugal (Madeira Islands), Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Setaria italicaFoxtail MilletAnnual0.5 10-12  LMHNM422
Setaria palmifoliaHighland Pitpit. Palm GrassPerennial3.0 10-12 FLMHSNM321
Setaria pumilaYellow Bristle Grass, Yellow foxtail, Cattail grassAnnual0.8 5-9  LMHNM200
Setaria viridis pycnocoma Annual0.8 5-9  LMHNM20 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)P.Beauv.

Botanical References

89200266

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Dr. Jadranka Rogan   Fri Sep 12 2008

Please be kind to indicate a selective herbicide for setaria viridis which would not affect normal lawn grass growth

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