MILLET 215 



Spikelet and Flower. — The spikelets are oval in shape and 

 4^^ to 5 mm. long. The lowermost glume is broad, pointed, 

 five- to seven-nerved, and about one-half the length of the 

 spikelet; the second glume is the length of the spikelet and 

 bears 13 nerves. Within the second (longer) glume is the 

 lemma of a sterile flower; this lemma is slightly shorter than 

 the glume surrounding it, and encloses a very small palet. 

 Above this sterile flower, is a perfect one. The lemma of this 

 is parchment-like, broad, and seven-nerved; it encloses the 

 three-nerved palet. The two lodicules are fleshy, smooth, 

 and somewhat broader than long. Stamens are three in 

 number. There are two plumose style branches. 



Pollination. — This millet is quite regularly cross-polli- 

 nated; however, self-pollination is not excluded. 



Mature Grain. — The kernel is firmly surrounded by the 

 indurated, shining lemma and palet. The whole grain 

 measures about 3 millimeters in length and 2 millimeters 

 in width. The kernel itself is broadly oval, smooth, white, 

 and does not possess a groove or furrow as does wheat. The 

 position of the embryo is indicated by a shallow broad 

 marking about one-half the length of the kernel. The 

 wall of the kernel is thin. There is one row of small, flat 

 aleurone cells surrounding the starchy endosperm. 



Varieties. — Koernicke recognizes three main types of 

 broom-corn millet. These are as follows: 



1. Panicum miliaceum efusum. — Panicle broad, the 

 branches spreading to all sides. 



2. Panicum miliaceum contractum. — Panicle less spread- 

 ing than preceding, one-sided. 



3. Panicum miliaceum compacium. — Panicle compact, 

 thick, and erect. 



Origin. — The native home of Panicum miliaceum is not 



