Panicum miliaceum; common millet

Japanese: キビ(黍) - キビ（英語表記）Panicum miliaceum; common millet

An annual grass of the grass family. It is said to be native to India, but has been cultivated since ancient times in arid areas such as inland China. It was introduced to Japan via the Korean Peninsula, and has a long history of cultivation. It is still grown in western Japan and Hokkaido today. It grows to a height of over 1m, with broad, linear leaves that grow alternately. The leaves are 2cm wide, 30cm long, and coarsely hairy. In autumn, finely branched flower spikes appear at the top of the stem, the upper half of which curves and droops. The caryopsis is yellow or white and granular. It is drought-resistant and grows in poor soil. It is used in candy, rice cakes, and millet dumplings, as well as for feed for small birds and livestock.

Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia About Encyclopaedia Britannica Concise Encyclopedia Information

Japanese:

イネ科の一年草。インドの原産とされるが中国内陸などの乾燥地で，古代から栽培されてきた。日本にも朝鮮半島を経て渡来し，栽培の歴史は古い。今日でも西日本や北海道でつくられている。高さ 1m以上になり，幅の広い線形の葉が互生する。葉の幅は 2cm，長さ 30cmで粗毛がある。秋に，茎頂に細かく枝分れした花穂を出し，上半は湾曲して垂れ下がる。穎果は黄色ないし白色の粒状。乾燥に強くやせ地に育つ。飴，餅，きびだんごのほか，小鳥，家畜の飼料に用いる。

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