Panicum decompositum aka Australian Millet

Panicum decompositum is a grass known as native millet or Australian millet. It belongs to the grass family, Poaceae. Kew places its native range from Australia to the southwest Pacific. Useful Tropical Plants records it across all mainland Australian states. It grows in warm temperate and tropical regions. Kew links it with tropical climates that have a dry season.

The plant forms dense clumps and usually lives for several years. Kew also records an annual life cycle. Useful Tropical Plants gives heights of 1–2.6 feet [0.3–0.8 metres]. PFAF lists a shorter height of 1 foot [0.3 metres]. These figures describe the plant, rather than a clear garden size range. Frost can kill the growth above ground. The plant can grow back when warmer weather returns. Wind carries its pollen, and its flowers have both male and female organs.

Wild plants grow in damp sand as well as heavy soils. Records also place it on heavy ground in drier areas. For growing conditions, Useful Tropical Plants specifies full sun and good drainage. It also calls for soil with a fair supply of nutrients. PFAF lists a preference for moist soil. Its soil range includes sand, loam, and clay. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline conditions. PFAF does not establish whether it will survive British winters.

The seeds supplied food for Aboriginal Australians. People still gather some seed from wild plants for local use. They cook the grain or mill it into flour. The flavour is mild, and the grain can serve as a staple. Its small size makes gathering and handling it awkward. Neither PFAF nor Useful Tropical Plants lists known medicinal uses. Both report no known hazards, but this does not prove complete safety. PFAF does not flag the species as weedy.

Useful Tropical Plants describes raising new plants from seed or division. Sow seed with a thin cover, and keep it from drying. The source gives about one week for germination. Move seedlings into separate pots once large enough to handle. Plant them out at about 0.5 feet [0.15 metres] tall. Divide clumps in spring. Large pieces can go straight into their final places. Grow smaller pieces in pots under light shade until established.