Plains Bristlegrass (Setaria Macrostachya)

Bristlegrass is a native, warm season perennial densely upright bunchgrass. It has light green tender leaves that are from two to six inches long, often folded and rough on the back. Stems often bend abruptly at the nodes. The panicle is slim, bristly and narrowed at the top. Bristly and narrowed at the top. Bristlegrass has narrow, spike like seed heads that resemble a small cattail millet head. Its ease of germination makes it a favorite on reclamation sights to stabilize the soil until other natives have time to get established. 

It is drought and heat resistant, grows in areas receiving as low as twelve inches annual rainfall, and in south and west Texas it has some green leaves almost as winter. It grows in open, dry ground and under protection of brush in over-grazed areas. It is most often found in low areas where moisture is plentiful. "Plains" Bristlegrass is moderately to highly palatable to all livestock, particularly the tender basal leaves. 
     
Planted at a rate of three pure live seed pounds per acre 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep.  The rough seed can be easily planted through a regular grass drill. "Plains" Bristlegrass is widely adapted in climate and soils. It grows on deep or shallow, sandy to clay soils over most of the southwest United States. Bristlegrass is used primarily in blends and preferred by wildlife enthusiast for bird seed and habitat, as well as forage for deer.