Barnyard millet (Echinochloa crus-galli)

Barnyard millet

Barnyard millet (Echinochloa crus-galli) belongs to the family Poaceae and can be found in all Central Europe mostly on farmland and sometimes in meadows and on fallow land. It can grow to heights between 30 and 100 cm, under especially good conditions even up to 2 meters. Barnyard millet is sometimes also referred to as cockspur or water grass.

Half-ripe seeds can be found (depending on weather conditions) from May until August, sometimes until September. Ripe seeds can be collected from July until October. Budgies and other pet birds prefer half-ripe seeds.

Barnyard millet can be frozen and stored for several month to conserve it for the winter.

You can find more photos of this species on NABU-naturgucker.de (German website, but also available in English language).