It is likely that the name of this species will be changed to Panicum flexuosum Retz. This name has already (2014) been accepted in the 'World Checklist of Selected Plant Families', but has yet to gain wider acceptance[].
Wild forms of this species with more lightly branched, erect panicles and sparse spikelets are sometimes distinguished as Panicum psilopodium (treated here as a synonym). Although the cultivated types are readily identifiable, there are sufficient intermediates to make a clear boundary with the wild types impossible to define[].

Common Name:

General Information

Panicum sumatrense is an annual grass with erect or geniculate culms, growing 30 - 200cm tall[, ].
Special forms of this variable species have been selected for cultivation in the drier parts of the tropics, especially tropical Asia. Plants with a denser and more profuse panicle, which droops at maturity under the weight of the spikelets, are grown as a cereal crop[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - probably India, but often cultivated in southeast Asia and original habitat is obscure.

Habitat

Rather dry situations[]. A non-aggressive colonizer of cultivated fields[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	1.50 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the tropics and subtropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 2,100 metres[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 22 - 27°c, but can tolerate 15 - 45°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 350 - 500mm, but tolerates 150 - 1,200mm[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Succeeds in most soils, preferring one that is well-drained[]. The plant is tolerant of both drought and waterlogging[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.2, tolerating 5 - 7[].
Plants can produce a crop even on very poor soils[]. They are usually sown together with a major cereal[].
The plant can mature a crop in 75 - 150 days from sowing the seed[].
Yields are usually between 225 - 560 kg/ha, but in a good season yields may be up to 900 kg/ha[].

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked[]. It can be cooked in the same ways as rice and is sometimes ground into flour and made into bread[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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