Helmisulkahirssi – Cenchrus americanus

Pearl millet was domesticated in the Sahel zone of West Africa from the wild progenitor Pennisetum violaceum (Lam.) Rich. Archaeobotanical evidence of domesticated pearl millet has been found from the Sahel zone in northern Mali dating back to 2500 - 2000 BC. Cultivation subsequently spread to eastern and southern Africa and overseas to India. It is grown in much of the world's sub-humid and semi-arid tropics and subtropics, sometimes extending into temperate zones. Pearl millet is commonly grown as a grain crop in the semi-arid regions of West Africa and the driest parts of East and southern Africa and the Indian subcontinent.