Eleusine coracana aka Finger Millet

Eleusine coracana, or finger millet, is an annual grass. It belongs to the grass family, Poaceae. Other names include ragi, kurakkan, coracan, and African millet. Its native range spans Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Kew places it in tropical regions with a dry season. It also grows in savannah and upland grassland. It is not native to Britain or Ireland.

The plant forms strong tufts and produces many side shoots. Useful Tropical Plants describes plants reaching 5.6 feet [1.7 metres]. The same source lists just 1 foot [0.3 metres] elsewhere. These figures do not establish a clear usual garden height. This grass completes its life cycle in one growing season. Wind carries its pollen, and plants can also fertilise themselves. Heavy rain during flowering can reduce the amount of seed formed.

Farmers began growing finger millet in east Africa around 3000 BC. From there, its use as a food crop spread. People now grow it across warm temperate and tropical regions. Much of this farming takes place on a small scale. Growers sell the grain in local markets. Little of the crop enters trade between countries. The plant occurs both in cultivation and in the wild. Beyond food, people use it to help hold soil in place. The source also records local medicinal uses, without details.

Finger millet grows in sun and accepts ordinary garden soil. Useful Tropical Plants describes it as easy to grow. Farmers raise it on rich loam and poor, shallow upland soils. It also grows on black cotton soils in India. Red lateritic loams suit it well. It withstands salt better than many other cereal crops. The plant tolerates moderately moist soil and a broad rainfall range. It can grow in dry places as well as humid ones.

For good grain yields, dry sites may still need irrigation. The source gives that advice below 530 millimetres of yearly rainfall. Finger millet can grow higher than most other cereal crops. Plants For A Future lists USDA hardiness zones 8–11. Useful Tropical Plants reports no known hazards for this species. That report does not establish safety for every use.