A very variable species, possibly a swarm of apomicts[], but the variation in Africa is continuous.

Common Name: Kodo Millet

General Information

Paspalum scrobiculatum is a loosely tufted, shallow rooting grass which can reach a height of 30 - 90cm depending upon variety[]. The wild form is a short-lived perennial plant, but forms cultivated for their seed are generally treated as annuals.
The plant is cultivated as a minor cereal crop in some parts of the tropics, particularly India[].

Known Hazards

There is one report that, unless special precautions are taken the seed is apt to act as a narcotic poison, producing delirium and vomiting[]. This report is very likely to be a misidentification or a confusion with fungal infection of the seed with ergot[, ], since the plant is commonly used as a food and is reported in many other sources[, , , 418 et al] as being wholesome[].

Botanical References

Range

Tropical areas of Africa; E. Asia - China, India, Malaysia, Indo-China to Australia.

Habitat

Roadsides, weedy places, often on damp soils, in southern China[]. Common in semi-swamp forest, damp grassland and swamps[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Habit	Annual/Perennial
Height	1.20 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of low to fairly high elevations in the tropics and subtropics, being found from sea level to 3,000 metres[]. It grows best in areas where the mean annual temperature ranges from 25 - 27°c, also succeeding in the range 5 - 33°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 1,600mm, but can tolerate 800 - 4,300mm[].
Tolerates a wide range of soils, from fertile clay loams to sandy loams, but prefers a light, moderately fertile, porous soil in full sun[, ]. Plants can succeed in wet soils and are tolerant of flooding[]. Prefers a pH in the range 4.8 - 6, but can tolerate 4.3 - 8[].
Plants spread readily by means of self-sown seedlings and can become a weed in agricultural land[, ].
When grown as a grain crop, the seed can be harvested after 120 - 180 days[]. The seed ripens over a period of three to four months, the seeds fall as they mature, which makes seed harvesting difficult[].

Edible Uses

Seed - eaten cooked, it can be used like rice, boiled or parched and ground into flour[, ]. It can also be popped like popcorn[]. The grain contains about 60% carbohydrate and 10% protein[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - it germinates best at a temperature of 20-35°c. Sow in situ on a well-prepared, very fine seedbed, only just covering the seed[].
The seed only remains viable for 12 months[].

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