136 Species in Genus Setaria

The Bristly World of Setaria: A Personal Exploration

My name is Ferb Vu, and like many, I’ve always appreciated the beauty of the natural world. But it wasn’t until recently that I truly began to delve into the fascinating world of plants, specifically a genus known as Setaria. These grasses, often dismissed as mere weeds, hold a unique charm and ecological importance that captivated my attention.

Setaria, derived from the Latin word “seta” meaning “bristle,” perfectly describes the defining characteristic of these plants: their bristly inflorescences. These bristles, which subtend the spikelets, give the seed heads a distinctive, almost fuzzy appearance. This unique feature not only aids in seed dispersal but also adds to their visual appeal.

A Diverse Genus

The genus Setaria is surprisingly diverse, with over 100 species found across the globe. They thrive in a variety of habitats, from open grasslands and disturbed areas to woodlands and even wetlands. This adaptability is a testament to their resilience and evolutionary success.

  1. Setaria adhaerens (Forssk.) Chiov.
  2. Setaria albovillosa (S.T.Blake) R.D.Webster
  3. Setaria alonsoi Pensiero & A.M.Anton
  4. Setaria ankarensis (A.Camus) ined.
  5. Setaria apiculata (Scribn. & Merr.) K.Schum.
  6. Setaria appendiculata (Hack.) Stapf
  7. Setaria arizonica Rominger
  8. Setaria atrata Hack.
  9. Setaria australiensis (Scribn. & Merr.) Vickery
  10. Setaria austrocaledonica (Balansa) A.Camus
  11. Setaria aversa (Vickery) R.D.Webster
  12. Setaria barbata (Lam.) Kunth
  13. Setaria barbinodis R.A.W.Herrm.
  14. Setaria basiclada (Hughes) R.D.Webster
  15. Setaria bathiei A.Camus
  16. Setaria bosseri A.Camus
  17. Setaria brigalow R.D.Webster
  18. Setaria brownii Desv.
  19. Setaria carinata S.Nozawa & Pensiero
  20. Setaria cernua Kunth
  21. Setaria chapmanii (Vasey) Pilg.
  22. Setaria chondrachne (Steud.) Honda
  23. Setaria clementii (Domin) R.D.Webster
  24. Setaria clivalis (Ridl.) Veldkamp
  25. Setaria constricta (Domin) R.D.Webster
  26. Setaria cordobensis R.A.W.Herrm.
  27. Setaria corrugata (Elliott) Schult.
  28. Setaria criniformis (S.T.Blake) R.D.Webster
  29. Setaria desertorum (A.Rich.) Morrone
  30. Setaria dielsii R.A.W.Herrm.
  31. Setaria distans (Trin.) Veldkamp
  32. Setaria distantiflora (A.Rich.) Pilg.
  33. Setaria elegantula (Mez) Morat
  34. Setaria faberi R.A.W.Herrm.
  35. Setaria fiebrigii R.A.W.Herrm.
  36. Setaria finita Launert
  37. Setaria flavida (Retz.) Veldkamp
  38. Setaria forbesiana (Nees ex Steud.) Hook.f.
  39. Setaria gausa (S.T.Blake) R.D.Webster
  40. Setaria geminata (Forssk.) Veldkamp
  41. Setaria globoidea (Domin) R.D.Webster
  42. Setaria globulifera (Steud.) Griseb.
  43. Setaria gracillima Hook.f.
  44. Setaria grandis Stapf
  45. Setaria grandispiculata (B.K.Simon) R.D.Webster
  46. Setaria grisebachii E.Fourn.
  47. Setaria guizhouensis S.L.Chen & G.Y.Sheng
  48. Setaria hassleri Hack.
  49. Setaria homonyma (Steud.) Chiov.
  50. Setaria humbertiana A.Camus
  51. Setaria hunzikeri Anton
  52. Setaria incrassata (Hochst.) Hack.
  53. Setaria intermedia Roem. & Schult.
  54. Setaria italica (L.) P.Beauv.
  55. Setaria jaffrei Morat
  56. Setaria johnsonii (B.K.Simon) ined.
  57. Setaria jubiflora (Trin.) R.D.Webster
  58. Setaria kagerensis Mez
  59. Setaria lachnea (Nees) Kunth
  60. Setaria latifolia (Scribn.) R.A.W.Herrm.
  61. Setaria leonis (E.Ekman) León
  62. Setaria leucopila (Scribn. & Merr.) K.Schum.
  63. Setaria liebmannii E.Fourn.
  64. Setaria limensis Tovar
  65. Setaria lindenbergiana (Nees) Stapf
  66. Setaria longipila E.Fourn.
  67. Setaria longiseta P.Beauv.
  68. Setaria macrosperma (Scribn. & Merr.) K.Schum.
  69. Setaria macrostachya Kunth
  70. Setaria madecassa A.Camus
  71. Setaria magna Griseb.
  72. Setaria megaphylla (Steud.) T.Durand & Schinz
  73. Setaria mendocina Phil.
  74. Setaria mildbraedii Mez ex C.E.Hubb.
  75. Setaria montana Reeder
  76. Setaria nicorae Pensiero
  77. Setaria nigrirostris (Nees) T.Durand & Schinz
  78. Setaria oblongata (Griseb.) Parodi
  79. Setaria obscura de Wit
  80. Setaria obtusifolia (Delile) Morrone
  81. Setaria oplismenoides R.A.W.Herrm.
  82. Setaria orthosticha K.Schum. ex R.A.W.Herrm.
  83. Setaria palmeri Henrard
  84. Setaria palmifolia (J.Koenig) Stapf
  85. Setaria pampeana Parodi ex Nicora
  86. Setaria paraguayensis Pensiero
  87. Setaria parodii Nicora
  88. Setaria parviflora (Poir.) Kerguélen
  89. Setaria paspalidioides Vickery
  90. Setaria paucifolia (Morong) Lindm.
  91. Setaria perrieri A.Camus
  92. Setaria petiolata Stapf & C.E.Hubb.
  93. Setaria pflanzii Pensiero
  94. Setaria plicata (Lam.) T.Cooke
  95. Setaria poiretiana (Schult.) Kunth
  96. Setaria pradana (León ex C.L.Hitchc.) León
  97. Setaria pseudaristata (Peter) Pilg.
  98. Setaria pumila (Poir.) Roem. & Schult.
  99. Setaria punctata (Burm.f.) Veldkamp
  100. Setaria queenslandica Domin
  101. Setaria rara (R.Br.) R.D.Webster
  102. Setaria reflexa (R.D.Webster) R.D.Webster
  103. Setaria restioidea (Franch.) Stapf
  104. Setaria retiglumis (Domin) R.D.Webster
  105. Setaria reverchonii (Vasey) Pilg.
  106. Setaria rigida Stapf
  107. Setaria roemeri Jansen
  108. Setaria rosengurttii Nicora
  109. Setaria sagittifolia (A.Rich.) Walp.
  110. Setaria scabrifolia (Nees) Kunth
  111. Setaria scandens Schrad.
  112. Setaria scheelei (Steud.) Hitchc.
  113. Setaria scottii (Hack.) A.Camus
  114. Setaria setosa (Sw.) P.Beauv.
  115. Setaria spartella (S.T.Blake) R.D.Webster
  116. Setaria sphacelata (Schumach.) Stapf & C.E.Hubb. ex Moss
  117. Setaria stolonifera Boldrini
  118. Setaria submacrostachya Luces
  119. Setaria sulcata Raddi
  120. Setaria surgens Stapf
  121. Setaria tabulata (Hack.) R.D.Webster
  122. Setaria taolanensis A.Camus
  123. Setaria tenacissima Schrad.
  124. Setaria tenax (Rich.) Desv.
  125. Setaria texana Emery
  126. Setaria uda (S.T.Blake) R.D.Webster
  127. Setaria utowanaea (Scribn.) Pilg.
  128. Setaria vaginata Spreng.
  129. Setaria variifolia (Swallen) Davidse
  130. Setaria vatkeana K.Schum.
  131. Setaria verticillata (L.) P.Beauv.
  132. Setaria villosissima (Scribn. & Merr.) K.Schum.
  133. Setaria viridis (L.) P.Beauv.
  134. Setaria vulpiseta (Lam.) Roem. & Schult.
  135. Setaria welwitschii Rendle
  136. Setaria yunnanensis Keng f. & K.D.Yu

Ecological Significance

While some Setaria species are considered weeds, they play a vital role in their respective ecosystems. They provide food and shelter for various wildlife, including birds and small mammals. Their extensive root systems help to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion. Moreover, some species have been used in traditional medicine and for other practical purposes.

For instance, Setaria italica has been cultivated for thousands of years as a food source. Its grains are rich in carbohydrates and other nutrients, making it a valuable crop in many parts of the world. Other species, like Setaria palmifolia, are used for ornamental purposes due to their attractive foliage.

Personal Observations

In my own explorations, I’ve been struck by the resilience and adaptability of Setaria. I’ve encountered them in a variety of settings, from urban sidewalks to rural fields. Their ability to thrive in diverse conditions is a testament to their hardiness.

I’ve also been fascinated by the intricate structure of their inflorescences. The bristles, which vary in color and length depending on the species, create a delicate and intricate pattern. Under a magnifying glass, these structures reveal their true beauty.

Future Directions

My journey into the world of Setaria has just begun. I’m eager to learn more about their taxonomy, ecology, and evolutionary history. I believe there’s much more to discover about these fascinating plants.

I’m particularly interested in exploring the potential uses of Setaria species, both for ecological restoration and for practical applications. Their adaptability and resilience make them ideal candidates for various purposes, from soil stabilization to biofuel production.

In conclusion, Setaria is a genus of grasses that deserves more attention and appreciation. While some may view them as mere weeds, they are in fact vital components of our ecosystems and hold great potential for future applications. I encourage everyone to take a closer look at these fascinating plants and discover their unique beauty and ecological significance.

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