Sticky Millet

Panicum miliaceum

Flower name
Sticky Millet
Scientific name
Panicum miliaceum
Alias黍, もちきび, 稲きび, もちキビ, もち黍, きび, Proso millet
Place of originChina and other temperate regions of East and Central Asia
Place of floweringField
Flowering seasonAugust, September

What is Sticky Millet

Sticky Millet or Panicum miliaceum(scientific name: Panicum miliaceum) is an annual herb and minor grain in the family Poaceae and genus Panicum, native to China and other temperate regions of East and Central Asia. It was cultivated in Japan as early as the Yayoi period.
It is distributed worldwide because of its short growing season and drought tolerance.
The plant grows 150 to 200 cm tall, and its 60 cm long ears (conical inflorescences) turn from green to light brown to brown. When 1/3 to 1/2 of the ears turn brown, it is ready for harvest, and it bears numerous seeds 0.1 to 0.6 cm long and 0.1 to 0.2 cm wide. The seeds are small and chewy when edible, resembling small yellow glutinous rice. This variety contains no or little amylose.

Planting time
Sown from May to August, it can be harvested in about 100 days. For example, if sown in late May, it can be harvested around mid to late September.

Nutritional Value
It has the lowest calories of all grains, more protein than white rice, twice as much potassium, three times as much dietary fiber and iron, four times as much magnesium, and 12 times as much calcium.
The seeds are yellow and contain catechin polyphenols, which are strong antioxidants. It is used to make bird feed and wine, but in Japan it is also used to make o-hagi (rice cakes) and rice cakes.

Common name: glutinous millet, scientific name: Panicum miliaceum, herb height: 150-200 cm, stem: cylindrical and hollow, inflorescence shape: conical inflorescence, flower color: brown, leaf shape: lanceolate, inflorescence height: 60 cm, flower color: brown, flowering time: from germination to Flowering time: 80-90 days from germination, so if sown in May, it will flower around September; Seeds: grains slightly larger than millet or Japanese millet; Seed color: yellow, white, brown; Sowing: May-August; Growing time: 100-110 days; Hardiness: dry or rough soil, short growing time; Uses: o-hagi, rice cake.