Sorghum bicolor

Sorghum, broomcorn, great millet, Indian millet, Guinea corn

Sorghum bicolor is mostly an annual plant and can grow up to five meters tall. The plants shown here, which are likely cultivated varieties rather than the wild form, were between one and two meters tall.

Its native range includes Africa and the Indian subcontinent. In other regions, the species may occur as naturalized plants that have escaped from cultivation.

The seeds are edible and can be used similarly to golden millet. Sorghum bicolor is also used, among other things, as livestock feed, an energy crop, and in the production of sugar and alcoholic beverages.

In the United States, Sorghum bicolor is an important crop, particularly in the Great Plains, where it is well adapted to hot and dry conditions (source).

In the UK, Sorghum bicolor is still cultivated only to a limited extent, mainly as a game cover crop. Its use as an alternative to maize is also being explored (source).

Characteristics & Description

Height, habit: Annual to perennial grass, 0.8 to 5 meters
Poisonous: No
Origin: The wild types originate from Africa and the Indian subcontinent (map)
USDA zone: 12 (50 °F/10 °C)

Botany

Family: Poaceae
Name: Sorghum bicolor

The following photos were taken in August 2026. That summer was not only very hot but also extremely dry. Nevertheless, most of the plants in the field look healthy and vigorous. This suggests that Sorghum bicolor has good drought tolerance. However, I cannot rule out irrigation, but no pipes were visible.