Job’s tears
Coix lacryma-jobi

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A millet grass. It is a loosely tufted, tall, annual grass. It grows up to 1-2 m high with long slender leaves. The stems have a soft, white, centre inside. The leaves can be 60 cm long and 3-5 cm wide. The sheath of the leaf around the stem, is short. The flower stalk is long and arching. Male and female flowers are in separate spikes on the flowering stalk. The female flowers have a hard covering which changes from green to black to white, as it ripens. Male flowers are small and on top. The seed is like a bead and used for necklaces. They are 1.5 cm long. The seeds are green when young, and turn to pearly grey or purple when mature.

Chemical composition (grams /100g): Protein = 18.81g. Fat = 6.2g. Carbohydrate (soluble) = 59.55g. Fibre = 1.28g. Ash = 3.4g. Water = 10.74g. Calories = 378.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It grows wild and semi-cultivated in many areas of Papua New Guinea. It is well suited to grow in swampy places. It grows in wetlands. It grows up to 2000 m altitude in the tropics. It needs a temperature above 13-16°C. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America, China, Colombia, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Easter Island, Ecuador, Fiji, Ghana, Guam, Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Korea, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Niue, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America (country/location of origin), Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The seeds are eaten raw. They can be cooked like rice. The seeds can be crushed to produce a cereal flour. This is best mixed with wheat flour to make a lighter but tasty flour. The seeds are used in soups, porridges, drinks or pastries. It is used for brewing beer. The parched seeds are used for a tea-like drink.

Common in most areas of Papua New Guinea but rarely eaten. It is eaten often in some places e.g. Mendi Valley. Similarly in many tropical countries, the thin shelled form is used as food. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seed. It grows wild in many swampy places. Seed are sown 5 cm deep. Plants are spaced at 40-60 cm.

Seeds are ready to harvest about 5 months after sowing. On poor soils in dry conditions, hollow fruits may be produced. The tough seed shell has to be broken.

Its other names

Local names

Adlay millet, Adlay, Anjalai, Bbirkaulo, Bilen, Bonco, Butsu wasil, Canelos muyu, Chuan gu, Cura huea, Deuy, Duei, Gurgur, Holo, Hongo, Isangu, Jali, Jali-jali, Jangali zuvaai, Jargadi, Jelai pulut, Jelai, Joli, Juzudama, Ka-leik, Kalein, Kapi tape, Kasaiya, Kattu kundumani, Kola, Kolgowa, Kyeik, Miimtang, Mwahile hile, Netpavalam, Nongo, Oshiito, Pikopiko, Pooshakkal, Ranmakkai, Sanasana, Sankru, Senjelai, Shankru, Sku'ey, Sohriu, Tear-grass, Tiaku, Trigo tropical, Tumdak, Wasil, Yi yi, Yusari

Synonyms

Coix agrestis Lour.; Coix arundinacea Lam.; Coix lachryma Linn.;