Signal grass, Browntop millet
Brachiaria ramosa

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A millet grass. It is an annual grass. It grows 60 cm high. It forms loos tufts. The culms root from the lower nodes. The leaves are 5-12.5 cm long by 0.6-1.5 cm wide. The leaves are soft and limp. The edge is sharp. Leaves have a somewhat rough texture. They can be finely hairy. The flowers are green and in long undivided flower arrangement.

There are about 100 Brachiaria species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows on most alluvial soils. In Nepal is grows to 1800 m altitude. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, China, East Africa, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritania, Mexico, Middle East, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Senegal, South Africa, Southern Africa, Thailand, USA, Vietnam, West Africa, Yemen, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds are mixed with millet or other grains to increase the bulk. If used for chapattis it should be eaten with buttermilk to avoid constipation.

It is cultivated for its grain.

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or by splitting the rhizome.

Its other names

Local names

Anda korra, Au kawunga, Baadeho, Banspate, Bennakki hullu, Chama pothaval, Duo zhi bai xing cao, Gae rid, Kanarin doki, Kuri, Makdaghas, Pala pul, Peda sama, Rebha pereng-perengan

Synonyms

Panicum ramosum L.; Panicum brachylachnum Steudel; Panicum canescens Roth. & Roemer; Panicum petiveri Trin.; Urochloa ramosa (L.)T.Q. Nguyen; Panicum supervacuum C.B.Clarke;