Tef
Eragrostis tef

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae

What it is like

Eragrostis tef is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower from August to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

A casual on waste ground in Britain.

N. Africa - Ethiopia. A casual in Britain.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Seed - cooked. It is used as a cereal for making bread and as a fermented food. 'Enjera' is a fermented pancake-like bread that is a made from this grain in Ethiopia where it is a staple food. The bread is spongy, soft, thin and sour tasting. The seed is very small but easy to harvest. Protein content is around 13%.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Succeeds in any good loam or humus-rich soil in a sunny position. Tef is cultivated for its seed in Ethiopia where it is a staple crop, there are many named varieties. It is occasionally cultivated for its seed in Europe but is more commonly grown as an ornamental. Plants can mature in 4 months from seed in warm climates, the crop is more problematic in Britain due to the cooler summers. Plants tend to lodge.

Propagating it: Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse, only just covering the seed. Germination is usually very quick and free. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out after the last expected frosts. The seed can also be sown in situ in late April, but in cool summers this might not give a long enough growing season to ripen the crop.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

E. abessinica. E. abyssinica. Poa abyssinica.