ECHINOCHLOA CRUS-GALLI

(Linn.) Beauv.

Synonym ► Panicum crus-galli Linn.

Family ► Gramineae; Poaceae.

Habitat ► Cultivated mainly in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

English ► Barnyard Millet.

Ayurvedic ► Ambah Shyaamaaka.

Siddha/Tamil ► Oathupul.

Folk ► Samak

Action ► Whole plant—used for diseases of the spleen and for checking haemorrhage.

The grains are rich in carbohydrates (3.474 wt %) and trace elements (Cu, Cd, Cr, Ni, Fe, Mn, Sn). The total protein content is 4.2 wt% and the total lipids 4.46%. A hormone, oestrogen, is reported from the lipid.

A polysaccharide extracted from the endosperm and composed of glucose was identified as a phytoglycogen.