Japanese Millet, Billion-dollar grass

Echinochloa frumentacea

Physical Characteristics

Echinochloa frumentacea is a ANNUAL growing to 1.8 m (6ft) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in). It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Distribution

Native habitat unknown, possibly derived in cultivation from E. crus-galli.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed Edible Uses: Seed - cooked and used as a millet. The seed can be cooked whole or can be ground into a flour[1, 57, 61, 105, 142, 171]. Usually eaten as a porridge[183]. The seed contains about 72.5% starch, 3.12% fat, 11.8% protein, 2.65% ash[179].

Medicinal Uses

Stomachic The plant is useful in the treatment of biliousness and constipation[240].

Known Hazards

None known