Foxtail barley is a troublesome weed found throughout North America. It is also called squirreltail barley and wild barley. The plant has a slender, rounded stem that grows about 2 feet (61 centimeters) tall with narrow, rough leaves. A drooping spike (cluster of flowers) grows at the tip of the stem and develops a bristly beard that looks like a fox’s tail. Foxtail barley can be a nuisance because it grows rapidly and kills off other plants. Also, its seeds cling to the wool of sheep and irritate their hides. When animals eat the plant, the leaves and flowers sometimes stick in their throats and cause them to choke. Foxtail barley may be infected by the toxic fungus ergot (see Ergot ).
