Echinochloa crus-galli Seeds | Barnyard Grass
LATIN NAME: Echinochloa crus-galli
COMMON NAME: Barnyard Grass
Plant Profile
Barnyard Grass (Echinochloa crus-galli) is a vigorous grass in the family Poaceae. Long before modern grain fields took shape, a vigorous grass of wet ground fed people across old world. It thrives on wet, open, disturbed ground, springing up thickly along ditches, paddy margins and low fields, and its heads ripen to a warm, straw colour as season turns. It is a native of wet, open places of warm regions, while it has been gathered and grown as a humble grain, and it is known as barnyard grass or Japanese millet’s wild cousin. The ratio of effort to reward here is about as good as gardening gets.
Science & Biotechnology
Echinochloa crus-galli sits in Poaceae, a group that keeps botanists, horticulturists and plant breeders busy with questions of classification, adaptation and ornamental potential. Archaeologists and botanists have both had a hand in story of this grass. In practice, its long garden history means the grower inherits a plant of known and dependable habits.
Uses & Benefits
Barnyard Grass brings genuine presence to the garden and earns its keep across the growing season. For garden and wet corner, barnyard grass is more useful than it looks. Its dense heads of small grains feed seed-eating birds through autumn, and its thick, leafy growth holds wet, loose ground and gives a quick cover to a damp, bare patch. Its grains have a long history as a humble food of old world, and its tough, quick ways have made it a valued fodder in places. Given the right start, it carries on with minimal intervention.
Barnyard grass was a historic grain crop of Asia and Africa, still eaten as a fast, hardy millet in Japan and India.
Growing from Seed
Barnyard Grass grows readily from seed. A simple routine works well: sow evenly over the surface and cover lightly in a loose, well-drained seed compost, maintain even moisture, and provide bright light. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
Barnyard Grass repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
Related Reading
Readers interested in Barnyard Grass frequently explore these as well: