Pearl Millet

Cenchrus americanus

Found in fallow fields, other disturbed areas. FloraQuest, phone app (app page) What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Virginia. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 76%

Height: 3–6 feet
Spread: 2–3 feet
Light: Full sun
Soil moisture: Dry to somewhat dry

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Bitter Panicgrass
Panicum amarum
Sun: Full sun. Soil: Dry to moist. Flowers: Pink.
Similar growth form, height, spread
Switchgrass
Panicum virgatum
Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow, pink, purple or red.
Similar growth form, height, spread
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Sun: Full sun. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow or orange.
Similar growth form, height, evergreen or deciduous

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At a glance

Life cycle: Annual
Bloom: May to December
Fruiting season: Summer to fall

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Not yet recorded · Leaves

Recorded in 9 Virginia counties.

Habitats

Roadsides, fields and disturbed ground.

Each habitat page lists the plants and wildlife also found there. All habitats

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

9CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including VA

Genus host records with ranges including VA · Cenchrus

Anicla infectaGreen Cutworm Moth
Dargida diffusaWheat Head Armywotm Moth
Helicoverpa zeaCorn Earworm Moth
Hylephila phyleusFiery Skipper
Lerema acciusClouded Skipper, Corn Leaf tier
Lerodea eufalaEufala Skipper, Gray Skipper, Rice Leafroller
Mythimna unipunctaArmyworm Moth, White Speck
Nola cereellaSorghum Cutworm, Sorghum Webworm Moth, Sorgham Webworm Moth
Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth

Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

7BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Cenchrus

Cardinalis cardinalisNorthern Cardinal
Passerina cirisPainted Bunting
Pheucticus ludovicianusRose-breasted Grosbeak
Porzana carolinaSora
Tympanuchus phasianellusSharp-tailed Grouse
Vireo olivaceusRed-eyed Vireo
Zenaida asiaticaWhite-winged Dove

Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family: Poaceae
Hardiness: Zones 2a–11b
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Flower color: Yellow or purple
Growth rate: Rapid
Growth habit: Grows in clumps
Foliage color: Green
Fruit begins: Summer
Fruit ends: Fall

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Bloom · “May to December” · FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team), phone app (app page) (ranked first; USDA PLANTS differs) · Carolinas and Georgia
Flower color · “Yellow or purple” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox (ranked first; USDA PLANTS differs)
Foliage color · “Green” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Fruit begins · “Summer” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Fruit ends · “Fall” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Growth habit · “Grows in clumps” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Growth rate · “Rapid” · USDA PLANTS · Nationwide species characteristics; local growing conditions may vary
Hardiness · “Zones 2a–11b” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Height · “3–6 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox (ranked first; USDA PLANTS differs)
Life cycle · “Annual” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Light · “Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil · “Occasionally dry; Very dry” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil pH · “Acidic to neutral” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Spread · “2–3 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox

Also known as

Pennisetum americanum; Pennisetum glaucum

Conservation status

Virginia rank	SNA
Global rank	GNR
VA status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source Global and federal source