Finger millet

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Finger Millet
• African millet
• caracan millet
• koracan
• African Finer Millet
• African Finger Millet

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Eleusine indica subsp. coracana
• Cynosurus coracanus
• Cynodon coracanus
• Eleusine indica var. coracana

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized into the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Poales, and the family Poaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is established within the genus Eleusine.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a varied presence across several key regions within the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution can be observed within the borders of Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is found in Belgium as well as in Germany. Its range further extends through the Central European territories of Czechia-Slovakia. Finally, the plant reaches into Southeastern Europe, specifically within the country of Italy.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Eleusine coracana is characterized by its ability to thrive within specific altitudinal and environmental parameters, primarily occupying anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and the Cerrado biome (latu sensu). This species demonstrates a broad vertical distribution, inhabiting diverse landscapes across an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 1100 m AMSL to a maximum of 2600 m AMSL. Its presence in disturbed or human-modified environments alongside the native savanna ecosystems of the Cerrado highlights its adaptability to varying soil conditions and land-use patterns within these highland regions.

Elevational range max:

2600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1100 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Eleusine coracana 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 by persisting as a seed, with the vegetative body dying off after maturity. This classification is consistent across its morphological descriptions, identifying it as a therophyte that relies on rapid seasonal growth to reach reproductive maturity before the onset of senescence.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Eleusine coracana is characterized by its growth form as a graminoid herb, exhibiting a non-woody structure that is entirely self-supporting rather than acting as a climber or liana. As a terrestrial plant, it functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. The plant maintains a relatively modest stature, with an average height of approximately 0.3 m, though it can reach a maximum height of up to 1.5 m depending on environmental conditions.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

graminoid

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Plant height mean:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Eleusine coracana is characterized by a highly efficient metabolic framework, most notably its utilization of the C4 photosynthetic pathway. This specialized carbon fixation mechanism allows the plant to concentrate carbon dioxide within bundle sheath cells, significantly reducing photorespiration and enabling efficient biomass production even under high temperatures and intense light intensities. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition strategies, Eleusine coracana is not a nitrogen fixer; it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms, meaning it relies primarily on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to meet its nitrogen requirements for protein synthesis and growth.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Reproduction

Reproduction in Eleusine coracana is characterized by an abiotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on wind to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The plant is capable of self-fertilization, ensuring reproductive success even in isolated conditions. The resulting fruits are classified as dry, containing seeds with a highly consistent volume of 2.1 mm³, as both the minimum and maximum recorded seed volumes are 2.1 mm³. The mass of these seeds varies slightly, with a minimum value of 0.00209 g, a maximum of 0.00241 g, and an average seed mass of 0.0023 g.

Fruit dryness :

dry

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Seed mass max:

0.00241 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0023 g

Seed mass min:

0.00209 g

Seed volume max:

2.1 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Eleusine coracana has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid, LIGNIN, Syringol, Tannin, ascorbate.

Flavonoid

1. 3 Biotech

LIGNIN

1. 3 Biotech

Syringol

1. Inflammopharmacology

Tannin

1. 3 Biotech

ascorbate

1. 3 Biotech

glutathione

1. 3 Biotech