It is a tall, erect, annual bunchgrass growing from 6-15 ft in height. It is particularly well adapted to nutrient-poor, sandy soils in low rainfall areas. Stems are pithy and leaves are long-pointed with finely serrated margins. The mature panicle is brownish in color, and spiklets are borne in fascicles of two, surrounded by a cluster of bristles. Each spiklet has two florets, one of which is generally staminate.
Pearl millets are generally cross-pollinated.
Several varieties and hybrids have been developed. Uses of pearl millet include hay, pasture, silage, seed crops, and food. There appear to be few or no disease problems associated with pearl millet. It does very well under dryland conditions. It is somewhat hard to establish millet with rates suggested at 5 lbs per acre for better stands.