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Common Millet

Panicum miliaceum

Panicum miliaceum Panicum miliaceum
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Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Poales
Family:
Poaceae (Grass)
Also in this family:
Alpine Catstail, Alpine Foxtail, Alpine Meadow-grass, Annual Beard-grass, Annual Meadow-grass, Arrow Bamboo, Barren Brome Grass, Bearded Couch Grass, Bearded Fescue, Bermuda Grass, Black Bent, Black Grass, Blue Fescue, Blue Moor-grass, Bog Hair-grass, Borrer's Saltmarsh Grass, Bread Wheat, Bristle Bent, Brown Bent, Brown Sedge, Bulbous Foxtail, Bulbous Meadow-grass, California Brome Grass, Canary Grass, Carnation Sedge, Cocksfoot, Cockspur, Common Bent, Common Cord-grass, Common Reed, Common Saltmarsh Grass, Compact Brome Grass, Corn, Couch Grass, Creeping Bent, Creeping Soft-grass, Crested Dog's-tail, Crested Hair-grass, Cultivated Oat, Curved Hard Grass, Cut Grass, Dense Silky Bent, Downy Oat-grass, Drooping Brome Grass, Drooping Tor Grass, Dune Fescue, Early Hair-grass, Early Meadow-grass, Early Sand-grass, False Brome Grass, False Oat-grass, Fern Grass, Fine-leaved Sheep's Fescue, Flattened Meadow-grass, Floating Sweet-grass, Foxtail Barley, French Oat, Giant Fescue, Glaucous Meadow-grass, Great Brome Grass, Greater Quaking Grass, Grey Hair-grass, Hairy Brome Grass, Hairy Finger-grass, Hard Fescue, Hard Grass, Harestail Grass, Heath Grass, Holy Grass, Hybrid Marram Grass, Italian Rye Grass, Knotroot Bristlegrass, Lesser Hairy Brome Grass, Lesser Quaking Grass, Loose Silky Bent, Lyme Grass, Marram Grass, Marsh Foxtail, Mat Grass, Mat-grass Fescue, Meadow Barley, Meadow Fescue, Meadow Foxtail, Meadow Oat-grass, Mountain Melick, Narrow-leaved Meadow-grass, Narrow-leaved Small-reed, Neglected Couch Grass, Nit Grass, Orange Foxtail, Pampas Grass, Perennial Rye Grass, Plicate Sweet-grass, Purple Moor-grass, Purple Small-reed, Purple-stem Catstail, Quaking Grass, Ratstail Fescue, Red Fescue, Reed Canary Grass, Reed Sweet-grass, Reflexed Saltmarsh Grass, Rescue Grass, Rough Meadow-grass, Rush-leaved Fescue, Sand Catstail, Sand Couch Grass, Scandinavian Small-reed, Scottish Small-reed, Sea Barley, Sea Couch Grass, Sea Fern Grass, Sheep's Fescue, Silver Hair-grass, Six-rowed Barley, Slender Brome Grass, Small Cord-grass, Small Sweet-grass, Smaller Catstail, Smooth Brome Grass, Smooth Cord-grass, Smooth Finger-grass, Smooth Meadow-grass, Soft Brome Grass, Somerset Hair-grass, Sorghum, Spreading Meadow-grass, Squirreltail Fescue, Stiff Brome Grass, Stiff Saltmarsh Grass, Sweet Vernal Grass, Tall Fescue, Timothy Grass, Tor Grass, Tufted Hair-grass, Two-rowed Barley, Upright Brome Grass, Velvet Bent, Viviparous Fescue, Wall Barley, Wavy Hair-grass, Wavy Meadow-grass, Whorl Grass, Wild Oat, Wood Barley, Wood Fescue, Wood Meadow-grass, Wood Melick, Wood Millet, Yellow Oat-grass, Yorkshire Fog
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
150 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Disturbed ground, fields.

Flower:
✿
Green, no petals
 
Common Millet produces loose, open flower heads (panicles) that are airy and branched, typically appearing between July and September. The small flowers are greenish to purplish in colour and are arranged on delicate, spreading stems. Each floret is inconspicuous but wind-pollinated, and the panicles can grow up to 30 cm long, giving the plant a distinctive feathery look when in bloom.
Fruit:
The fruit is a small, rounded grain known as a caryopsis, measuring around 2–3 mm in diameter. The seeds mature in late summer and early autumn and vary in colour from white to yellow, red, or brown, depending on the variety. These grains are highly nutritious and have been cultivated since prehistoric times as a staple food in parts of Asia and Eastern Europe.
Leaves:
The leaves are long, flat, and linear, typically 20–60 cm in length and 1–2 cm wide. They are arranged alternately along the stem and have a prominent midrib. The leaf surface is smooth or slightly rough, and the plant overall resembles other upright grasses. The stems can grow to about 1 metre tall and are often slightly waxy or glaucous.
Fragrance:
Common Millet has no noticeable fragrance in either the foliage or the flowers. It does not produce scent as part of its pollination strategy, relying on wind rather than insects. Its value lies in its grain production and its graceful, ornamental seed heads rather than any aromatic qualities.
Other Names:
Broom Millet, Broomcorn Millet, Broomtail Millet, Brown Millet, Chinese Millet, French Millet, Hog Millet, Indian Millet, Kashfi Millet, Little Millet, Panic Millet, Proso Millet, Red Millet, White Millet.
Frequency (UK):
Unusual  

Other Information

Summary

Panicum miliaceum, also known as proso millet, common millet, broomcorn millet, hog millet, or white millet, is a species of grass in the family Poaceae. It is native to Central Asia and is now widely cultivated as a crop in many parts of the world. It's an annual or short-lived perennial grass and it's one of the oldest domesticated crops, dating back to around 7000 BC in China. It is a hardy crop and can grow in a wide range of soils and climates. The plant can reach up to 1.5 meters tall and it produces small, drooping spikes of flowers. The grain is small and rounded and it is commonly used in birdseed, as well as a food grain for humans, especially in regions where other cereal crops may not be able to grow.

Blog

Common Millet, also known as Panicum miliaceum, is a small-seeded grain crop that has been cultivated for thousands of years in many parts of the world. It is a highly adaptable plant that can grow in a variety of soil types and climatic conditions, making it an important food source for many communities. In this blog, we will explore the history, uses, and benefits of Common Millet.

History and Distribution

Common Millet is one of the oldest cultivated grains, with evidence of its cultivation dating back to the Neolithic period in China, around 10,000 years ago. It was also cultivated in ancient Egypt and Greece, and later spread to other parts of the world, including Europe, Africa, and America. Today, it is mainly grown in Asia, Africa, and Europe, with China being the largest producer.

Uses

Common Millet is primarily used as a food crop, although it has many other uses. In many parts of the world, it is a staple food, particularly in Asia and Africa, where it is used to make porridge, bread, and other dishes. It is also used to make alcoholic beverages, such as beer and vodka, and in some cultures, it is used as a ceremonial food.

In addition to its use as a food crop, Common Millet has other uses. It is used as a fodder crop for animals, as it is highly nutritious and easy to digest. It is also used for erosion control and as a cover crop, as it is a fast-growing plant that can quickly establish itself in the soil.

Benefits

Common Millet has several health benefits, as it is a rich source of nutrients. It is high in protein, fiber, and minerals such as iron, magnesium, and phosphorus. It is also a good source of B vitamins, particularly niacin and thiamin.

Common Millet is a gluten-free grain, making it a suitable alternative for people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. It is also a low-glycemic index food, which means that it does not cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels, making it suitable for people with diabetes.

In addition to its nutritional benefits, Common Millet has environmental benefits. It is a drought-resistant crop that requires less water than other grains such as wheat and rice, making it a suitable crop for areas with limited water resources. It also has a short growing season, which means that it can be grown in regions with a shorter growing season, such as northern latitudes.

Common Millet is a versatile and nutritious grain crop that has been cultivated for thousands of years. It is a staple food in many parts of the world and has many other uses, including as a fodder crop, erosion control, and cover crop. It is a rich source of nutrients and has several health benefits, including being gluten-free and low-glycemic index. With its adaptability and environmental benefits, Common Millet is likely to remain an important crop for many communities around the world.

More Information

Common Millet, also known as broomcorn millet or hog millet, is an annual plant that belongs to the family Poaceae. It has a slender stem that can reach up to 1.5 meters in height, with narrow leaves that are around 30 cm long. The plant produces small, round seeds that vary in color, ranging from white to brown or red.

Common Millet is a highly adaptable plant that can grow in a variety of soil types, including sandy, loamy, and clay soils, as well as in acidic or alkaline soils. It can also tolerate drought and low temperatures, making it a suitable crop for regions with challenging climatic conditions.

The cultivation of Common Millet has been an important part of many cultures throughout history. In ancient China, it was considered one of the five sacred crops, along with rice, wheat, soybeans, and barley. In some parts of Africa, it is known as "the crop of the poor," as it is a hardy crop that can grow in marginal lands and provide a reliable source of food.

One of the unique features of Common Millet is its ability to produce a large number of tillers, or stems, from a single seed. This makes it a highly productive crop, with some varieties capable of producing up to 6 tons of grain per hectare.

In addition to its use as a food crop, Common Millet has several other uses. The stalks can be used for thatching roofs or making brooms, and the seeds can be used as birdseed or in decorative crafts. In some cultures, the seeds are used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including digestive disorders and respiratory problems.

Common Millet is an important crop that has been cultivated for thousands of years. Its adaptability, nutritional value, and environmental benefits make it a valuable crop for many communities around the world. As awareness of its benefits grows, it may become an even more important crop in the future.

Common Millet has several different varieties that are grown in different parts of the world. The most common varieties include foxtail millet, pearl millet, finger millet, and proso millet. Each variety has its own unique characteristics and uses.

Foxtail millet is mainly grown in Asia and is a staple food in many parts of India, China, and Korea. It is used to make porridge, bread, and other dishes. Foxtail millet is high in protein and fiber, and low in fat, making it a nutritious food choice.

Pearl millet is a staple food in many parts of Africa and is grown in other parts of the world, including India and the United States. It is used to make porridge, bread, and other dishes. Pearl millet is high in protein and fiber, and is a good source of iron and other minerals.

Finger millet, also known as ragi, is a staple food in parts of India and Africa. It is used to make porridge, bread, and other dishes. Finger millet is high in calcium and iron, making it a nutritious food choice.

Proso millet, also known as common millet, is grown in many parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and the Americas. It is used to make porridge, bread, and other dishes. Proso millet is high in protein and fiber, and is a good source of B vitamins.

In addition to their use as food crops, millets have several environmental benefits. They require less water than other grains such as wheat and rice, making them suitable for regions with limited water resources. They also have a short growing season, which means they can be grown in regions with a shorter growing season, such as northern latitudes. Millets are also resistant to pests and diseases, reducing the need for chemical pesticides.

In conclusion, Common Millet and its varieties are important crops that have been cultivated for thousands of years. They are highly adaptable, nutritious, and have several environmental benefits. As awareness of their benefits grows, they may become even more important crops in the future.

Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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