Japanese Millet🌾

An annual in the grass family. Along with foxtail millet (awa) and proso millet (kibi), one of Japan's oldest cereals, cultivated since the Jōmon period. Domesticated from the wild barnyard grass (E. crus-galli). Important as a staple in cold regions and Tōhoku where rice was difficult to grow; declined after the Meiji era as rice production expanded. Now revalued as an allergen-friendly grain and in traditional foods (hie-mochi, hie-zōsui).

Identification Points

• ✓1–1.5 m tall with erect stems
• ✓Wide linear leaves (similar to rice)
• ✓Spike-like inflorescence with pointed spikelets; rounded seeds

Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification

Phylogenetic Positionイネ科 →