Shattercane Sorghum x drummondii

Native to tropical and subtropical regions of Southern Egypt and Sudan, Sudan grass was introduced to the US in the early 1900's.  

This warm-season hybrid grass is used for forage for horses and cows, as a means of erosion control, and as a cover crop for weed suppression. Its stems are finer than other sorghum sudangrass hybrids.

Growing very quickly, it surpasses other varieties of forage sorghum.  

Although used as a forage crop, under certain conditions, this plant can be toxic to grazing animals.  Sorghum contains cyanogenic glucosides, which can be converted to prussic acid when conditions cause the plant cells to rupture.  This can occur after periods of drought, after forage has frozen, or when the plant height is less than 24 inches.  Allowing the plant to form regrowth for several weeks will lower the likelihood of the plant being toxic.  Testing for prussic acid can be done. The highest potential for poisoning occurs when animals consume plant regrowth following a frost or drought.

Drought tolerant and produces high biomass.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  May cause to prussic acid toxicity.