Sorghum bicolor

Name and publication

Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, Methodus 207 (1794).

Description

Fragments of the fruiting inflorescences of grain sorghum are occasionally encountered in imported potpourri. Terminal panicles, which may be up to 60 cm long, have primary, secondary, and even tertiary branches with spikelets arranged in pairs and groups of three at the ends of the branches. Samples in potpourri are commonly 2-10 cm long x 1-6 cm wide. The globular caryopses are 4-8 mm in diameter.

Nativity and distribution

Sorghum bicolor is widely known from cultivation and naturalized in North America. It is a potentially invasive species.

Family

Poaceae (alt. Gramineae)

Synonymy

Holcus bicolor L.

Andropogon sorghum (L.) Brot.

Holcus sorghum L.

Sorghum vulgare Pers., nom. illeg.