Setaria pumila

Setaria pumila is an erect annual herb, growing up to 1 m tall.

The culms of Setaria pumila are growing 30 cm up to 1 m tall. 
The culms are erect and the nodes are glabrous. 

The leaves of Setaria pumila are linear or lanceolate in shape, and they are sparsely hairy. 
The leaf base is rounded and the apex is acuminate. 
The leaves are 5 to 23 cm long and 0.4 to 1 cm wide. 
The sheaths are up to 8 cm long and they are keeled. 
The ligules are membranous and ovate in shape. 

The inflorescences of Setaria pumila are spiciform panicles. 
The panicles are 4 to 10 cm long, they are cylindric and yellow in colour. 
The bristles are scabrid and 3 to 7 mm long. 
The spikelets are 2 to 2.5 mm long, ovate or subglobose in shape. 
The lower glume is 1 to 1.5 mm long and is ovate-acute. 
The upper glume is 1 to 2 mm long and is ovate or orbicular in shape. 
The lower floret is male or barren. 
The upper floret is bisexual. 
There are 3 stamens. 
The ovary is oblong in shape.

The fruit of Setaria pumila is a caryopsis. 
The grains are about 1.5 mm long and ellipsoid in shape.

The fruit of Setaria pumila is a caryopsis. 
The grains are about 1.5 mm long and ellipsoid in shape.

Setaria pumila is used as an ornamental grass in gardens and as a fodder crop for livestock. 
It is also used for erosion control, as a soil stabiliser, and as a cover crop.