Pearl Millet Cenchrus americanus
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Pennisetum glaucum
- Phonetic Spelling
- SEN-krus a-mer-ih-KAH-nus
- Description
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Pearl millet (also known by the genus and species Pennisetum glaucum) is an erect, annual, ornamental grass native to Africa that is well-adapted to poor, drought-stricken and infertile soils. These characteristics make it one of the most drought-resistant cereal crops and a vital subsistence crop in countries surrounding the Sahara Desert and in western Africa where soils are tough and rainfall is low. As climate change continues to affect weather and rainfall patterns, pearl millet is likely to become increasingly important as a crop for the future. Pearl millet is widely grown around the world as a summer forage crop for livestock, a cereal grain, and an ornamental. In addition to being an important food source, pearl millet has a number of medicinal applications as well as very showy flowers, which in turn produce the highly nutritious edible seed called millet.
Pearl millet is easy to grow in evenly moist, well-draining soil in full sun and tolerates dry soils and drought. It does not tolerate shade. Overly wet soils or waterlogged conditions will result in poor seed set. When growing in clay soils, ensure that good drainage is provided. The grass performs best in hot summer climates and best germination occurs in warm soils above 70 °F. Cool temperatures or allowing seedlings to become root-bound can lead to stunted growth. Pearl millet grows rapidly, but with a short lifespan. Mature plants can reach up to 10 feet tall and 3 feet wide and are held in place by a robust root system.
The quality of this forage crop is kept at its optimum by frequent cutting or grazing. When allowed to grow tall, the quality declines, and it is more difficult to properly dry.
The genus name comes from the Latin penna meaning "feather" and seta meaning "bristle" in reference to the flowers' long, feathery bristles. The species name glaucum means "having a bluish grey cast". The common name pearl millet refers to the round seeds of this millet species.Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
Rust and leaf spot are potential problems. Susceptible to damage by chinch bugs and stink bugs.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Jade Princess'
Green leaves - 'Purple Baron'
Purple leaves - Purple Majesty
Compact, purple-leaved selection developed at the University of Nebraska; stems, leaves, and flowerheads are dark purple.
- 'Jade Princess'
- 'Jade Princess', 'Purple Baron', Purple Majesty
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Jade Princess'
Green leaves - 'Purple Baron'
Purple leaves - Purple Majesty
Compact, purple-leaved selection developed at the University of Nebraska; stems, leaves, and flowerheads are dark purple.
- 'Jade Princess'
- 'Jade Princess', 'Purple Baron', Purple Majesty
- Tags:
-
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cenchrus
- Species:
- americanus
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- A dye plant, used medicinally and for hay for livestock.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Central Africa
- Distribution:
- Worldwide
- Fire Risk Rating:
- high flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- The seeds are highly attractive to birds.
- Play Value:
- Easy to Grow
- Edible fruit
- Edibility:
- Seeds can be eaten raw or cooked or used like rice in sweet or savoury dishes. It can be ground into a powder and used as a flour for making bread or porridge. The grain is often fermented to make various foods and the sweet tasting grains are eaten raw by children.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- White
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are small, rounded grains that range in color from white to yellow and occasionally brown and purple.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Tubular
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- The inflorescence is a terminal, bottle-brush like, dense raceme of tiny, wind pollinated flowers. The flowerheads can reach up to 1 and 3/4 feet long. Blooms from July to September.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The narrowly lanceolate leaves can reach up to 3 feet long and 3 inches wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The upright stems can reach up to 1 inch in diameter and have a dense covering of hairs at their nodes.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Meadow
- Slope/Bank
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Design Feature:
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil
