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Synonyms: | |
Common names: | Finger millet (English) Rapoko (Shona) |
Frequency: | |
Status: | |
Description: |
Tillering annual to c. 1 m tall; leaf sheaths compressed and keeled; inflorescence of 2–7 digitately arranged, congested, somewhat flat, brownish, one-sided spikes which curve inward at maturity; grain spherical. |
Notes: | It is thought to have been derived from E. africana (see Hiremath & Salimath in Bothalia 21: 161–162 (1991) and de Wet et al. in Amer. J. Bot. 71: 550–557 (1984)). |
Derivation of specific name: | |
Habitat: | often occurring as an escape, especially along roadsides. |
Altitude range: (metres) | 730 - 1600 m |
Flowering time: | |
Worldwide distribution: | This species is cultivated in the tropics and subtropics of the Old World for the grain. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | C |
Growth form(s): | |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Literature: |
Burrows, J.E. & Willis, C.K. (eds) (2005). Plants of the Nyika Plateau Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 31 SABONET, Pretoria Page 342. as Eleusine coracana africana (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mamuto, M. (2003). Plants of the Chimanimani District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 24. Eleusine coracana africana Cope, T.A. (1999). Poaceae Flora Zambesiaca 10(2) Pages 156 - 157. (Includes a picture). Jackson, G. & Wiehe, P.O. (1958). An Annotated Check List of Nyasaland Grasses The Government Printer, Zomba, Nyasaland Page 67. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 103. Wursten, B., Timberlake, J. & Darbyshire, I. (2017). The Chimanimani Mountains: an updated checklist. Kirkia 19(1) Page 85. |
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