Sorghum bicolor
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hyparrhenia dichroa
- Phonetic Spelling
- SOR-gum BYE-color
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
-
Known by numerous common names which depend on its location, sorghum is a crop grass native to Africa in the Poaceae (grass) family. It has been cultivated for over 3,000 years in southern Africa regions. It grows all over the world and is known for its ability to grow in drought laden poor soils. They prefer highly fertile moist soils with good drainage. It is grown as an annual in cooler hardiness zones and as a perennial in temperate Zones 9 through 12.
Several varieties of sorghum bicolor exist. Grain sorghum is used for food while grass sorghum is grown for use as animal feed. Broomcorn, as the name indicates, is used for making brooms. White sorghum is sweet and most used as a grain crop. Red sorghum used in the prodcution of beer, has a less sweet taste that makes it undesirable to birds.
Typically an annual, some varieties are classified as perennials. Included in the species of Sorghum bicolor are cultivated varieties as well as semi-wild weedy plants. The wild varieties have a ring of long hairs at the nodes. Their spreading branches are whorled.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, American bollworm, and borer are common insects. Commonly affected by fungus, bacteria, and nematodes, these diseases can easily spread to crops. Birds and rodents are attracted to the seed heads, and can become a nuisance. It is aggressive, rapid growing and can outcompete other plants.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sorghum
- Species:
- bicolor
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The grain can be used to make ethanol. Used as cattle and poultry feed. Its stalks can be used as building material or to make brooms.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Africa
- Distribution:
- Worldwide
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds and small mamals are attracted to the seeds.
- Edibility:
- A grain that is used for human and livestock. It can be cooked like rice. It can also be ground into a flour. The grain from sorghum is gluten-free and is typically ground into a meal that is used for bread, porridge, and cakes. Processing the grain will help to dissipate its strong taste. It can also be used in the production of oils, starch, dextrose and even alcoholic drinks.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Edible
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Vegetable
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Columnar
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Edible seeds ripen from September-October and vary in color from white through shades of red and brown to pale yellow to deep purple-brown.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Panicle
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Wind pollinated flowers appear from August to October. Growing in the form of 6" to 20" panicles, each flower cluster can produce 800 to 3,000 kernels.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Waxy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Floppy leaf blades grow along the entire length of each stem. They are located underneath the flower panicles. The upper side of the leaf is a darker green than the underside. The underside has a dull appearance.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Grows as a solitary or tufted leafy stem that is covered by sheaths.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Meadow
- Attracts:
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Heat
- Poor Soil
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
-
-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, headache, loss of appetite, restlessness. Consumption of an immature plant is poisonous to both humans and animals. This toxic nature can increase when the plant is exposed to frost, drought, or trampling. If consumed in excess quantities, it can cause respiratory distress and death. The poisonous substances found in immature plants are destroyed once the plant has dried or converted to food for animal consumption.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Hydrogen cyanide and hordenine.
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
- Stems
