Black seed panicum
Panicum novemnerve
Family: Poaceae
What it is like
An annual grass. It has stiff rough hairs. It grows 30-60 cm high. The leaf blade is 6-20 cm long. It is narrow and tapers to the tip. The flowering panicle is 10-20 cm long. It has many branches. The spikelets are about 2 mm long. They are narrowly oval.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in disturbed open places. It grows between 1,080-1,400 m altitude. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 300-400 mm. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Botswana, East Africa, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Seeds, cereal, grains
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Kalya-nkanga, Koka-nkoka