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Wild-proso millet

(Panicum miliaceum)

Wild-proso millet is an annual grass that is native to Asia or middle Europe. This grass grows an erect stem, that branches near the base. It can grow 2 to 6 feet tall. Leaf-blades are 1/2 to 3/4 inches wide, with stiff hairs on both the upper and lower surfaces of the blade. Leaf-sheaths contain and open with long spreading hairs. Fused at the base of the leaf, are the ligules that are a fringe of 1/16 of an inch long dense hairs. The inflorescence grows to be a 4 to 12 inches long spreading panicle that is nodding or erect when mature. The panicle is usually not fully extended from the leaf sheath. Spikelets on the panicle are 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch long and are two-flowered. The upper flower of the spikelet is fertile and the lower spikelet is sterile. The glumes are pointed at the tip, ovate, and strongly nerved. At maturity, the seeds are shed. The seeds are brown to black in color, shiny, and smooth. Plants can be easily identified by the seed coat that stays attached to the fibrous root system.

Wild-proso millet fact sheet