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Native Plant Society of Texas

Southwestern Bristlegrass

Setaria scheelei

Other common name(s):

Scheele's Bristlegrass, Scheele's Foxtail Grass, Foxtail Grass

Family:

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Chihuahuan Deserts, Cross Timbers, East Central Texas Plains, Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains, Texas Blackland Prairies
Low Mountains and Bajadas
Limestone Cut Plain
Bastrop Lost Pines, San Antonio Prairie, Southern Post Oak Savanna
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Coastal Sand Plain, Floodplains and Low Terraces4, Laguna Madre Barrier Island and Coastal Marshes, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Mid-Coast Barrier Islands and Coastal Marshes, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub
Floodplains and Low Terraces1, Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Grass & Sedge

Height

2
to
3
ft.

Spread

0.5
to
1
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Well Drained, Moist, Dry

Light Requirement

Part Shade, Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Green

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Seeds, Forage, Larval Host

Wildlife Benefit

Browsers, Birds, Small Mammals, Aquatic Wildlife

Maintenance

A nice ornamental bunch grass. Likes disturbed soils in shaded to partly shaded areas. Requires less supplemental water in richer soils. Cut back if it dries up during drought and during winter dormancy. In the wild it usually grows in the shade of trees or shrubs. Particularly abundant in the limestone canyons of the Edwards Plateau of central Texas. Propagation: clump division, seed.

Comments

Blooms May-November. A warm-season bunchgrass with somewhat flattened stems and sheaths. Dense system of roots may reach down to 8′ in depth. Leaves and stems are purplish to blue green in color. Larval host: most Branded Skippers and most of the Satyrs.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Panicum scheelei

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed No Treatment Sow the seeds directly into the garden after the last frost. For a head start, you can start them indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Choose a well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Sow the seeds ¼ inch deep and space them 6-12 inches apart. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which typically takes 10-14 days. Once seedlings have a few true leaves, thin them out to the desired spacing. Collect seeds when at the "ripe dough" stage, usually just as the color has changed from green to brown. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-setaria-scheelei/ 2) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SESC2 3) https://seedsource.com/southwestern-bristlegrass/
Clump Division Gently lift the plant from the ground and use the spade to divide the clump into smaller sections, ensuring each section has a healthy set of roots and shoots. Plant the divided sections into prepared soil beds or pots with good drainage. Space the sections adequately to allow for growth, and cover the roots with soil, pressing lightly to remove air pockets. Water the newly planted divisions thoroughly to help settle the soil and establish roots. Continue to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. After propagation, place southwestern bristlegrass in a location where it receives ample sunlight, as it prefers full sun to partial shade. Water regularly, especially during dry periods, but ensure proper drainage to avoid waterlogging. Mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and control weeds. Monitor for pests and diseases, treating them promptly if any issues arise. Water the plant a day before dividing to ensure the soil is moist and the roots are hydrated, making them easier to separate. Carefully dig around the base of southwestern bristlegrass to expose the root system. 1) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Setaria_scheelei.html#:~:text=Southwestern%20bristlegrass%20is%20a%20resilient%20bunchgrass%20found,and%20are%20re%2Dplanted%20promptly%20in%20well%2Ddrained%20soil. 2) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-setaria-scheelei/

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason