Pearl Millet
Cenchrus americanus
- Native to:
- Angola, Benin, Burkina, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, DR Congo, Gabon, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Togo, Zambia
Dinesh Valke (www.flickr.com) from Thane, India
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Cenchrus
- Species:
- Cenchrus americanus
- USDA Symbol:
- PEGL2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow, green, brown
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), Faronta albilinea, Faronta diffusa
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from crown after fire; tolerates periodic burning typical of its native African savanna habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 5–14 days
- Notes:
- Germinates readily in warm soil (65-75°F). Seeds require light for optimal germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI