E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the Flora of British Columbia

According to Nurse et al.(2009) say: "Setaria faberi can be distinguished from other grasses by the presence of a hairy ligule and hairs on the upper side and margins of the leaf blade (see also section 2a). The inflorescence is characteristic of the foxtail family and often droops once mature."

View a comparative photo of Setaria glauca, S. viridis, and S. faberi.

Setaria viridis is difficult to distinguish from Setaria faberi (Pohl 1962). Dore and McNeill (1980) and Pohl (1962) indicate that S. viridis is primarily glabrous while S. faberi usually has hairs on the upper surface of the leaf blades. Pohl says "The prevalent form of S. faberia bears soft pubescence on the upper leaf surfaces only and is usually distinguished from other species on this basis."