Dactyloctenium scindicum

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A cereal grass. It forms stolons or runners and keeps growing from year to year. It forms mats. It grows 7-45 cm high. The stalks are slender with swollen bases. The leaf blades are tough and loosely folded. They are 1-11 cm long by 2-3 mm wide. The seed is about 1 mm long.

There are 13 Dactyloctenium species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It often grows over limestone material. It grows in dry soil. It grows between 60-830 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Australia, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Middle East, North Africa, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen

How it is used for food

The seeds are mixed with millet. CAUTION: They are reported to cause stomach upsets.

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Seeds, grains, cereal

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bhobra, Ganthi, Kuschon, Madax-buur, Saddexo, Sadeho, Tantia ghas

Synonyms

Dactyloctenium glaucophyllum Courbai; Dactyloctenium glaucophyllum var. elongation Courbai; Dactyloctenium glaucophyllum var. robustior Courbai; Eleusine glaucophylla (Courbai) Benth.; Eleusine scindica (Boiss.) Duthie; Eleusine aristata Ehrenb. ex Boiss.;