Citation: L., Sp. Pl. 58 (1753).

Synonymy: Panicum miliaceum

Common name: Common millet, broom (or hog) millet.

Description:
Erect hairy annual, 20-100 cm tall, the stems erect or decumbent at the base; leaf sheaths broad and loose, with hairs seated on the tubercles, the blades to 2 cm broad, usually hairy on both surfaces; ligule a short ciliate membrane.

Panicle usually partly enclosed in the upper leaf bases, 10-30 cm long, rather compact, but usually drooping, with numerous capillary branches; spikelets 4.5-5 mm long, ovate, acuminate; first glume about half the length of the spikelet, 5-nerved, second glume 9-11-nerved, acuminate; first lemma equal to the second glume, enclosing a palea, second (fertile) lemma c. 3 mm long, cartilaginous, yellowish to reddish, smooth and shining.

Distribution:  S.Aust.: NU, EA, NL, SL, SE.   W.Aust.; Qld; N.S.W.   Native to Europe and Asia. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Feb. — April.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: No text

Uses: Cultivated for the grain and as fodder.

Author: Not yet available