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 is an ornamental grass native to Africa with very showy flowers that produce a highly nutritious edible seed called millet. It is well adapted to drought conditions and poor soils making it a crop we will look to in the future.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Jade Princess'
Green leaves - 'Purple Baron'
Purple leaves
- 'Jade Princess'
- 'Jade Princess', 'Purple Baron'
- Tags:


- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Jade Princess'
Green leaves - 'Purple Baron'
Purple leaves
- 'Jade Princess'
- 'Jade Princess', 'Purple Baron'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cenchrus
- Species:
- americanus
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- A dye plant, used medicinally and for hay for livestock.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Africa
- Edibility:
- Seeds are edible.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Drainage:
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
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-
Fruit:
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
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Leaves:
- Hairs Present:
- No
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Poor Soil