Spring Millet

Information

Milium vernale - Poaceae Family

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Identification

Flowers: Open panicles are green to purplish, and up to 8 inches long
Seeds: Smooth and glossy, oval, 1.7mm to 2.0mm long. Brown streaks give the appearance of wood grain. Spring millet spreads only by seed.
Leaves: Flat, ¼ inches wide and 4 inches long.
Flowering Time: Stems each produce one cluster of flowers in the spring.
Life cycle: Winter annual grass that grows up to 2 ½ feet tall, with drooping, upright or spreading stems. Seed heads appear in May, and seeds mature in June.

Impacts

A pest of winter wheat, Spring millet usually travels with the grain and gets planted with the crop. Once established it infests surrounding pastures.
Native to Eurasia, Spring millet was found infesting winter wheat and other crops in north-central Idaho. Although there have been no other reported occurrences in North America, the infestation in Idaho is spreading rapidly.

Most effective control methods

Little information or research currently exists on the control of Spring millet.
According to several Idaho noxious weed control guidelines, spring tillage may control this plant.
Currently no herbicides are labeled for its control.
There are no biological controls for Spring millet at this time.

Spring millet

Spring millet: stem and foliage

Spring millet: seeds

Spring millet

Spring millet: roots

Spring millet