False signal grass, Guinea millet
Urochloa deflexa

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A millet grass which grows to 1 m tall. It forms loose tufts. It grows each year from seeds.

There are 12 Urochloa species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is resistant to drought. It can grow in light shade.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Asia, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, India, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Yemen

How it is used for food

The seeds can be made into flour and used for cakes.

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

Plants mature in 70-75 days.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Brachiaria deflexa (Schumach.) C. E. Hubb. ex Robyns; Panicum deflexum Schumach.;