Foxtail millet, Indian millet
Setaria italica

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

An annual millet grass. It grows 1-1.5 m tall. It can be tinged with purple colour. The stalks are upright and the section between the nodes is hollow. It develops tillers from the base. It has along leaf sheath. The leaf blade is 30-45 cm long by 1.2-2.5 cm wide. It has a prominent midrib and tapers towards the tip. The flower is a spike-like branching flower 7.5-25 cm long by 1.2-5 cm wide. The side branches carry 6-12 small spikes each with 1-3 bristles. The mature grain is 2 mm long. There are many named cultivated varieties.

There are about 130 Setaria species. They are mainly in the tropics and subtropics.

Where it is found

A warm temperate plant. It suits regions of low rainfall. It is grown from sea level to 2,000 m altitude. In Nepal it grows to about 1800 m altitude. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level. It can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions. It cannot tolerate waterlogging. It cannot withstand long periods of drought. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Andamans, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores, Balkans, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Britain, Cambodia, Canada, Caucasus, Central Asia, China, Cyprus, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guiana, Guyana, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Malawi, Malaysia, Manchuria, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, Tibet, Timor-Leste, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, USA, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, West Timor, Yemen, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

It can be cooked and eaten like rice. The seeds can be parched, popped, added to soups and sauces or made into porridge, cakes, puddings, and dumplings. The sprouted seeds can be used as a vegetable. The seeds can be used for making beer. The seeds can also be made into syrup. CAUTION: If the seeds are left outside overwinter they can become toxic.

Foxtail millet is cultivated as a cereal in China. It has many cultivars.

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seed. Seed can be broadcast or drilled. Pure stands require 8-10 kg/ha of seed. Plants are harvested by cutting off the ears.

It grows quickly. Plants mature in 80-120 days. Flowering occurs over 10-15 days. Plants can be self or cross pollinated. Yields of 800-900 kg/ha are common and straw yields for livestock feed can be up to 2,500 kg/ha.

Its other names

Local names

Awa, Bengal grass, Butul, Chenna, Chinaka, Chiurr, Erba, Fatun, Gh'omi, Hetui, Iskoi, Italian millet, Jangmelen, Japanese millet, Jo, Kagano, Kagno, Kaguno, Kala kangni, Kang, Kanghuni, Kangni, Kangu, Kaguno, Kanguni, Kangunika, Kanidhan, Kaon, Karang, Karibiragu, Kaun, Khar, Khauni, Khosanuk, Kirpi darisi, Koni, Kora, Korra, Korralu, Ksongu, Kusht, Liang, Maisha, Mijo de Italia, Milho painco, Mukobi, Munciro, Navane, Pet'vi, Pingi, Pitatandula, Priangu, Priyangu, Rala, Rumput ekur kucing, Salau, Sat, Sekoi, Sekua, Sekui, Shak, Shali, Tanahal, Tangun, Tayak, Tena, Tenai, Thanahal, Thene, Thina, Thinai, U'rao-shoho

Synonyms

Panicum flavum Nees; Panicum italicum Linnaeus; Chaetochloa germanica (Miller) Smyth; Chaetochloa italica (Linnaeus) Scribner; Chaetochloa italica var. germanica (Miller) Scribner; Chamaeraphis italica (Linnaeus) Kuntze; Chamaeraphis italica var. germanica (Miller) Kuntze; Panicum chinense Trinius; Panicum germanicum Miller; Panicum italicum var. germanicum (Miller) Koeler; Pennisetum germanicum (Miller) Baumgarten; Pennisetum italicum (Linnaeus) R. Brown; Setaria germanica (Miller) P. Beauvois;