Grass Family (Poaceae)
First domesticated in the Western Sahara more than 4,900 years ago, pearl millet is an important staple food crop to Africans. It first arrived in the Americas on slave ships and was grown by enslaved Africans around their living quarters. Millet flour was used to make cakes and breads.
Varieties displayed in this exhibit:
Pennisetum glaucum ‘Jester’
Pennisetum glaucum ‘Purple Majesty’
Pennisetum glaucum ‘Purple Muse’
Listen to learn more: Access a short narrative here.
