In the same botanical "tribe" as adlay, December's millet-of-the-month, and sorghum, June's MotM, is the little known Taiwan oil millet (Spodiopogon formosanus). As the name infers, this species is native to the island of Taiwan, where it is locally cultivated, sometimes, at least, as a perennial.

This species apparently was comparatively recently identified, by the botanist Dorian Fuller. Previously it had been mischaracterized as an Echinochloa species. Whether or not it's a potential "superfood," as some press coverage would have it, this millet may have some very interesting potential.

For further information:

* https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spodiopogon_formosanus

* https://archaeobotanist.blogspot.com/2009/05/forgotten-oil-millet-of-taiwan.html

* https://www.taiwan-panorama.com/en/Articles/Details?Guid=30dd27c6-af3d-41c4-bdc2-9f6f4662063e&CatId=10&postname=A%20Cereal%20for%20the%20World%3F%20-The%20Rediscovery%20of%20Taiwan%20Oil%20Millet

* https://pag.confex.com/pag/xxvi/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/28014

* https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2020/04/14/2003734582

We'll reorganize the millet-of-the-month calendar slightly for 2024, but since there are so many millets, TOM won't have its own month. Nevertheless, it is a crop and food that needs more attention.

Don Osborn, PhD

(East Lansing, MI, US)

North American Millets Alliance