Sorghum

(Sorghum bicolor)

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

Matt Lavin

CC BY-SA 2.0

Image By: Matt Lavin

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Matt Lavin | License Type: CC BY-SA 2.0 | License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/ | Uploader: Matt Lavin | Publisher: Flickr

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Sorghum bicolor, commonly known as Sorghum, is an annual or perennial grass that is cultivated primarily for its grain. It is native to the African Sahel, where it thrives in a variety of habitats including savannas, grasslands, and alongside rivers. Sorghum is a critical food source and the world’s fifth-most important cereal crop. It can grow in clumps reaching over 4 meters in height, with a robust stem that supports the grain. The grains are small, about 2 to 4 mm in diameter, and vary in color from white to red to brown.

Sorghum is highly valued for its adaptability to harsh environments, including a wide range of temperatures, high altitudes, and toxic soils. It has an exceptional ability to recover from drought, making it one of the most drought-resistant crops. The grain is used to make flatbreads and can be popped like popcorn, playing a vital role in the diets of many cultures in Asia and Africa. In cultivation, Sorghum requires full sun and can tolerate various soil drainage conditions, from fast to slow. It is not commonly grown for ornamental purposes but rather for its grain. However, it can also be used for fodder, biofuel, and brewing purposes. Care should be taken when growing Sorghum outside its native range, as it can become invasive in some regions.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Grass
Height: 2-3 feet
Width: 2-3 feet
Growth Rate: Rapid
Flower Color: N/A
Flowering Season: Summer
Leaf Retention:

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium
Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Low Maintenance

Natural Habitat

Native to savannas and grasslands of the African Sahel

Other Names

Common Names: Broomcorn , Great Millet , Rhodesian Sudan Grass , Zweifarbige Mohrenhirse , Millet Grand , Sorgho Commun , Kafferkoren , 수수 , 蜀黍;高粱 , Black Amber

Scientific Names: Sorghum bicolor , Sorghum nigrum , Sorghum sorghum , Sorghum bicolor subsp. bicolor , Sorghum bicolor f. bicolor , Sorghum vulgare , Sorghum bicolor var. sudanense , Sorghum caudatum , Holcus sorghum , Sorghum vulgare var. durra

GBIF Accepted Name: Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench