Fonio

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• acha
• fonio millet
• hungry-rice
• white fonio
• acha rice
• hungry rice

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Paspalum exile

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Following its placement in the subclass Magnoliidae and order Poales, it is further categorized under the family Poaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Digitaria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, Digitaria exilis, exhibits a specific geographical distribution throughout the West Tropical Africa region. It can be found growing within the borders of Benin. Additionally, its presence is noted across the landscape of Burkina. The species also extends its range into the territory of Gambia. Finally, the plant is documented to inhabit the region of Guinea-Bissau and Ghana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Digitaria exilis is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. In terms of its botanical life form, it is classified as a therophyte, a strategy where the plant survives unfavorable environmental conditions in the form of resistant seeds, only germinating when conditions become favorable for rapid growth and reproduction.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Digitaria exilis is characterized by a graminoid growth form, functioning as a non-woody herb. This plant is a self-supporting species, neither acting as a climber nor requiring external structures for verticality. It maintains an independent life cycle, functioning as a non-parasitic organism that grows in terrestrial habitats rather than as an epiphyte or aquatic plant. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits a relatively low profile, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 0.75 m, maintaining an average plant height of approximately 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

graminoid

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.75 m

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Digitaria exilis is characterized by its specific metabolic pathways and nutrient acquisition strategies, most notably regarding its interaction with soil chemistry. In terms of its nitrogen metabolism, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable biological form. Consequently, its physiological growth and development are heavily dependent on the availability of exogenous nitrogen sources, such as nitrates or ammonium, present in the soil substrate. This reliance necessitates efficient root system development to facilitate the uptake of dissolved mineral nutrients to support its primary metabolic processes, including protein synthesis and chlorophyll production.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

Reproduction in Digitaria exilis is primarily driven by the production of small, lightweight seeds that facilitate dispersal and establishment. The reproductive efficiency of the species is closely tied to its seed morphology, which is characterized by extremely fine dimensions. Quantitatively, the seed mass displays a specific range, with a recorded mean seed mass of 0.000425 g. The variability within the seed population is relatively narrow, as evidenced by a maximum seed mass of 0.0005 g (5e-04 g) and a minimum seed mass of 0.00035 g. These minute seed characteristics suggest a reproductive strategy optimized for high-volume seed production, allowing the plant to effectively colonize suitable environments through prolific seeding.

Seed mass max:

5e-04 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000425 g

Seed mass min:

0.00035 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Digitaria exilis has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Tannin, apigenin, luteolin, oxalate.

Flavonoids

1. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.)

Tannin

1. Tropical and geographical medicine

apigenin

1. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.)

luteolin

1. Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.)

oxalate

1. Tropical and geographical medicine