Bullrush millet, Pearl millet
Pennisetum glaucum

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A millet grass. It is an annual grass. It grows to 3 m tall. The leaf blades are 20-100 cm long by 2-5 cm wide. The flower is dense and 40-50 cm long by 1.2-1.5 cm wide. They also vary a lot in shape and size. Plants that tiller produce smaller heads. The species varies a lot. There are 13 cultivated, 15 weed and 6 wild races of this grass. It has a cylindrical ear like a bullrush. The grains are small and round and have a shiny grey colour like pearls. There are thousands of cultivated varieties. Possibly now Cenchrus americanus (L.) Morrone

There are about 100 Pennisetum species. Chemical composition: Protein = 11.5%. Fat = 6.03%. Carbohydrate = 40.73%. Ash = 8.23%.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It suits regions with a short growing season. It grows in areas with less than 600 mm of rainfall. It is often in hot places. (It is replaced with sorghum between 600 and 1200 mm rainfall and then by finger millet or maize above 1200 mm rainfall.) It is important in the drier areas of India and Pakistan. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa (country/location of origin), Algeria, Angola, Asia, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America, Chad, China, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Europe, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Middle East, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Africa, Northeastern India, Oman, Pakistan, Sahara, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, Sudan, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Togo, Uganda, USA, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten like rice. They are also ground into flour and made into bread and cakes and porridge. They are used to make alcoholic drinks. Caution: Alcohol is a cause of cancer. They are mixed with other grains and seeds to make fermented foods. Some kinds have sweet stalks that are chewed. The young ears can be roasted and eaten like sweet corn. The plant is also infested by a fungus which is eaten.

It is cultivated for its grain. It is the second most important native African cereal. It is grown on 14 million hectares in Africa and 11 million hectares in India and Pakistan. It is the staple food of 100 million people.

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. It is usually sown directly into the field. The plant density is adjusted to suit rainfall and soil fertility. The spacing is 45 cm apart up to 200 cm apart. It is also intercropped with other crops such as cowpea, sorghum and peanut. Crops are normally weeded 2 or 3 times.

It takes from 75-180 days to maturity. The heads can be picked by hand or the plant removed. Some types need to be picked 2 or 3 times as heads mature.

Its other names

Local names

Amabele, Ayuo, Babala, Bajra, Ban kangni, Bandari ghas, Bandra, Barati, Bhadli, Bilikorla hullu, Bini, Bolu, Bonu, Bubele, Bultuk, Butun, Candle millet, Cat tail millet, Cumbu, Dagusa, Dauro, Dissi, Duhun, Dukhon, Emeye, Gaouri, Gawri, Gero, Haanibii, Hatchi, Hegni, Inyouti, Isansa, Jamir, Kala-sat, Kapelembe, Khwe-mi-pok,Kolaat, Kolhu, Kolvi, Kotu, Kukra, Kunchi, Likun, Machewere, Madja, Madjo, Maiwa, Masan, Massango, Mauza, Mawale, Mayi, Mhunga, Mhungu, Mi-mawele, Midjo-preto, Miglio perla, Mijo perla, Milhete, Milho africano, Milho-malha, Milho-preto, Millet perle, Mpyoli, Munga, Muzundi, Mwere, Nakka korra, Nashasha, Ntweka, Nyalothi, Nyauti, Nyo, Pale pigeon grass, Pinginatchi, Raa, Sajje, Sanyo, Short Millet, Somene, Spiked millet, Tamir, Toujin kibi, Uchewere, Unyaluthi, Unyawothi, Unyawoti, Uwele, Yayomaata, Yellow bristle-grass, Yellow Fox Tail, Yu gu, Zipti ghass

Synonyms

Alopecurus typhoides N. L. Burmann; Chaetochloa glauca (L.) Scribn.; Chamaeraphis glauca (L.) Kuntze; Holcus spicatus L.; Panicum glaucum L.; Pennisetum americanum L.; Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke; Pennisetum echinurus (K. Schum.) Stapf et Hubb.; Pennisetum gambiense Stapf & C. E. Hubb.; Pennisetum leonis Stapf & C. E. Hubb.; Pennisetum maiwa Stapf & Hubbard; Pennisetum malachochaete Stapf & C. E. Hubb.; Pennisetum spicatum (L.) Korn.; Pennisetum typhoides (Burm. f.) Stapf & C. E. Hubb.; Pennisetum typhoideum Rich.; Setaria glauca (L.) P. Beauv; and many others