Practical
Plants

Milium effusum

Wood Millet

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Gramineae
Genus
Milium
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Height
1 m
Spread
0.5 m
Fertility
Wind
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Wind

Uses

Edible uses

Seed - cooked. Ground into a powder and used as a flour for making bread[10][2][5].

Plant part
Seed

Material uses

Leaves (straw) are used for weaving hats etc[10]. Plants have a running root system and can be used for ground cover. They should be mown 2 - 3 times in their first 2 - 3 years in order to encourage thick growth[8]. Plants should be spaced about 30cm apart each way[9].

Product or use
Weaving

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain but excluding the Mediterranean, east to Siberia and the Himalayas..
Habitat
Damp shady woods, especially oak and beech[1][4], on heavy humus rich lime soils[8].
Light
partial sun
Shade tolerance
permanent shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 6+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ[3]. Division in spring. Very easy, large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation

Requires a fertile moist but well-drained soil[8] in a shady position[3]. Succeeds in dry shade, tolerating drought when established[7]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[6]. Plants are tufted with a short rootstock and are short-lived[6]. They often self-sow[8]. At least one named form has been selected for its ornamental value[6].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

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  3. Grounds. R. Ornamental Grasses. Christopher Helm 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-7470-1219-9

    ↩1↩2

  4. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

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  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  6. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  7. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

  10. Komarov. V. L. Flora of the USSR. Israel Program for Scientific Translation 1968-00-00

    ↩1↩2

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