True millet, Common millet, Proso
Panicum miliaceum

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

An annual millet grass which grows up to 1 m high. It spreads to 15 cm across. It has a fibrous root system. The stalks are tufted. They are hairy at the base and on the nodes. The leaves are 30-50 cm long by 1-5 cm wide. They are narrow and flat. The edge is slightly rough with a few long hairs near the base. The seed head is much branched. The flower is yellow. The fruit is a grain. There are several races.

It suits people with Coeliacs disease because it contains no glutin. It has a high alkaline content that makes it easily digested. There are about 500 Panicum species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It requires a moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sunlight. Once established it can tolerate heat and drought. It suits warm temperate and subtropical climates. Plants are frost sensitive. In Nepal it grows up to 2200 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central Asia, China (country/location of origin), Congo, Cyprus, Czech Republic, East Africa, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Guiana, Guyana, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Korea, Kyrgystan, Latvia, Lebanon, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Manchuria, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, Niger, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pakistan, Poland, Romania, Russia, Sahel, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Serbia, Siberia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, West Africa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds can be cooked and eaten whole or ground into flour. They can be used in bread, pasta or dumplings. They are often browned in a skillet before using in casseroles, stews and for stuffings. They are fermented into tempeh or miso. The seed can be sprouted and added to soups and salads.

It is grown on 1.5 million hectares in China. It is also an important cereal in Mongolia and Korea and southern India. It is a cultivated food plant.

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

It is grown from seed which take one week to germinate.

Seeds for harvest can be produced in 10 weeks.

Its other names

Local names

Baragu, Broomcorn millet, Chamai, Cheen, Cheena, Chena, Chenaa, Chino, Cino, Dari, Dokhan, Echte Hirse, European millet, Goto dana, Huosui, Ji, Junelo, Kadukanni, Ke, Kibi, Lu, Meneri, Miglio, Mijo, Mil, Milho miudo, Milium, Millet Panic, Nage, Nkhwanje, Panivaragu, Shu, Taang, Tai, Varagalu, Vari, Variga, Varo

Synonyms

Panicum miliaceum cv. aureum Alef.; Panicum miliaceum cv. sanguineum Alef.; Panicum miliaceum var. flavum Schur;