Panicum miliaceum
L.
True millet, Common millet, Proso
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What to Eat
Edible parts: Seeds, Cereal
The seed can be cooked whole or ground into a flour for making breads, pasta, and fermented foods such as tempeh. It has a nutty flavour and is more easily digested than many cereals because its high alkaline content counteracts acids. It is also gluten-free, making it suitable for people with coeliac disease or other gluten intolerances, though bread made from it will not rise. The seed can also be sprouted and added to salads, soups, and similar dishes. It contains approximately 10% protein and 4% fat.
Where to Find It
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.
Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central Asia, China*, 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 to Identify
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.
Nutrition Score: 52/100
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seeds | 9.6 | 1548 | 370 | 11 | — | — | — | — |
How to Grow
Requires a moderately fertile well-drained soil in full sun. Succeeds in ordinary garden soil. Tolerates heat and also drought when it is established. European millet is frequently cultivated in warm temperate and sub-tropical zones for its edible seed, there are many named varieties. Cultivation in Britain is somewhat problematic, the plants require good summers to do well and a dry period in late summer is required in order to ripen and dry the seed. We have had fairly good results on our trial grounds in Cornwall by starting the seed off early in a greenhouse, though this is a fairly labour-intensive method and therefore much less efficient than growing the more traditional temperate zone cereals. Yields are also considerably lower than other cereals that can be grown in this country, although the nutritional value of millets is said to be superior to wheat, oats, etc.
Propagation: Sow seed in spring in a greenhouse, covering only just lightly. Germination should occur within a week. Prick out seedlings into trays or individual pots and plant out after the last expected frosts.
Medicinal Uses
The seed is cooling and demulcent. Cooked seed is applied as a poultice for abscesses and sores, and juice from chewed seeds is applied to children's sores. The seed can also be incinerated, mixed with oil, and used as a poultice said to heal sores without leaving a scar. A decoction of the root is used as an antidote to poisoning by Momordica species, to treat haematuria in women, and as a bath for skin eruptions.
Other Uses
A starch extracted from the seed serves as a substitute for corn starch and is used for sizing textiles. The leaves provide a source of fibre used in papermaking.
Wikipedia
An annual grass growing to 1 m tall with a 0.2 m spread. Hardy to UK zone 5. Flowers July to October. Hermaphroditic and wind-pollinated. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with well-drained preference. Tolerates mildly acid, neutral, and basic soils. Requires full sun. Adapts to dry or moist conditions and tolerates drought.
Production
Seeds for harvest can be produced in 10 weeks.
Other Information
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.
Notes
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.
Names & Synonyms
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
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