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Common Name: Wood Millet

General Information

Milium effusum is a Evergreen Perennial up to 1.00 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of materials.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Europe, including Britain but excluding the Mediterranean, east to Siberia and the Himalayas..

Habitat

Damp shady woods, especially oak and beech[, ], on heavy humus rich lime soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Evergreen Perennial
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a fertile moist but well-drained soil[] in a shady position[]. Succeeds in dry shade, tolerating drought when established[].
Plants are hardy to about -20°c[].
Plants are tufted with a short rootstock and are short-lived[]. They often self-sow[].
At least one named form has been selected for its ornamental value[].

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked. Ground into a powder and used as a flour for making bread[, , ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Leaves (straw) are used for weaving hats etc[].
Plants have a running root system and can be used for ground cover. They should be mown 2 - 3 times in their first 2 - 3 years in order to encourage thick growth[]. Plants should be spaced about 30cm apart each way[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in situ[].
Division in spring. Very easy, large divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.