Eleusine coracana

Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.
Poaceae
	50 - 120 cm   9
	V, VI, VII, VIII, IX
Taxonomy
Divisio: Magnoliophyta Subdivisio: Magnoliophytina Classis: Liliopsida Subclassis: Commelinidae Superordo: Poanae Ordo: Poales

Eleusine coracana, commonly known as caracan millet, finger millet, is a grass.

Naming

Eleusine coracana was already described and the name validly published by Carl Linnaeus. It was Joseph Gaertner, however, who reclassified it into todays valid botanical systematics in 1788.

Taxonomy

Eleusine coracana is a species in the genus Eleusine which contains approximately 11 to 20 species and belongs to the family of the Poaceae (Grass Family).

Characteristics

Eleusine coracana - habitus

Eleusine coracana - inflorescence

Growth

The grasses reach heights of 50 to 120 centimetres.

Leaves

Eleusine coracana is deciduous. The simple leaves are alternate. They are linear with entire margins and parallel venation.

Flowers and Fruits

Eleusine coracana produces flowers that are arranged in spikes from May to September.

The grasses produce caryopses.

Distribution

Eleusine coracana is native to tropical Africa and tropical Asia.

Cultivation

The grasses tolerate temperatures down to -7°C (USDA zone 9).

Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.

Non-commercial Links

• Eleusine coracana at the United States Department of Agriculture
• Eleusine coracana in the Flora of Pakistan
• Eleusine coracana in the Flora of Chinaes:Eleusine coracana