Bitterroot Restoration

Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Common name: Makra(Beng.); Indian millet (Eng.).
Life cycle: Annual
Native Range: Native to Africa, but naturalized world-wide.

Dactyloctenium aegyptium mostly grows in heavy soils at damp sites. Still a traditional food plant used as a famine food in Africa, this little-known grain has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare. Their leaves are typically grass-like,2-30 cm long, 2-9 mm wide, with blades and sheaths that are without hair. Their leaf margins have long, stiff hairs. Flowers arise in 1-7 spikes, 1-6.2 cm long, 3-7 mm wide.

Juice of fresh plants is prescribed in fevers. Decoction of the plant is given in small pox.