Pearl millet, Thunberg's pennisetum
Pennisetum thunbergii
Family: Poaceae
What it is like
A millet grass that forms dense tufts. It grows 1 m tall. It can have long rhizomes or underground stems. The leaf blades are 10-40 cm long and 4-7 mm wide. The tip of the leaves are long and rolled. The flowers are in a short dense spike.
Where it is found
It grows in damp soil. It grows in high altitudes in tropical Africa.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, East Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Middle East, Rwanda, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Seeds, cereal
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Bhabhala