First leaves are typically parallel to the ground. Except for blade lengths, vegetative characteristics resemble those of mature plants. Yellow foxtail seedlings can mature within 40 days. Stems typically erect to bent and ascending, branched at the base. Blades rolled in bud , flat , typically with pronounced pale midveins below.
Ligules consist of a fringe of short hairs .
Auricles lacking . To 1.3 m tall. Blade upper surfaces glabrous except for long hairs at the bases and lower margins . Ligules mostly 0.5-1 mm long. To 1 m tall.