Sorghum (Sorghum arundinaceum, D.Oliver & auct. suc. (eds.), Fl. Trop. Afr. 9: 114 (1917))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (Desv.) Stapf

Bibliography: D.Oliver & auct. suc. (eds.), Fl. Trop. Afr. 9: 114 (1917)

Year: 1917

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Sorghum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Africa, Indian Subcontinent

Description

Sorghum, scientifically known as Sorghum arundinaceum, is an important plant species belonging to the Poaceae family. Originating from Africa, this plant has spread its roots far across diverse regions, including the Indian Subcontinent.

Sorghum arundinaceum demonstrates a remarkable adaptability to various soil types and climatic conditions, making it a resilient and valuable crop in agricultural practices. It thrives particularly well in semi-arid regions where other crops might struggle, showcasing its drought-resistant capabilities.

This species is versatile and serves multiple purposes. It is a vital source of food for human consumption in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa and Asia. Sorghum grains are rich in nutrients, providing essential vitamins and minerals. Additionally, sorghum holds significant economic value in the production of animal feed, due to its high nutritional content for livestock.

Beyond its agricultural applications, Sorghum arundinaceum exhibits potential in various industrial uses. It is utilized in the production of biofuels, which is increasingly important as the world shifts towards renewable energy sources. Its by-products are often used in creating biodegradable materials, contributing to environmental sustainability.

The documentation of Sorghum arundinaceum’s characteristics and uses can be traced back to the work of botanists like D. Oliver and successors, who highlighted its significance in the Flora of Tropical Africa in 1917. This early recording underscores the long-standing recognition of sorghum’s value in both ecological and economical contexts.

Overall, Sorghum arundinaceum stands out not only for its adaptability and resilience but also for its comprehensive contributions to food security, livestock nutrition, and renewable resources, making it an indispensable plant species across different regions and industries.

Common Names

Eng: sorghum, common wild sorghum, cameroon grass, kamerun grass, kavirondo sorghum, tunis grass
Ara: hashish el-faras
Fra: mil sauvage
Yor: oka iye
En: Sorghum, Common wild sorghum, Cameroon grass, Kamerun grass, Kavirondo sorghum, Tunis grass, Broom-corn
Ar: Hashish el-faras
Fr: Mil sauvage, Sorgho d’Alep, Herbe de Cuba, Maïs cafre
Yo: Oka iye

Synonyms

• Sorghum bicolor subsp. verticilliflorum ((Steud.) de Wet ex Wiersema & J.Dahlb.)
• Andropogon sorghum subsp. effusus ((Hack.) Hitchc.)
• Andropogon halepensis var. kinshasanensis (Vanderyst)
• Sorghum panicoides (Stapf)
• Sorghum usambarense (Snowden)
• Sorghum halepense var. effusum ((Hack.) Rendle)
• Sorghum halepense subvar. aristatum (Rendle)
• Sorghum verticilliflorum var. ornatum (Snowden)
• Sorghum bicolor var. arundinaceum ((Desv.) de Wet & Huckabay)
• Sorghum macrochaetum (Snowden)
• Sorghum aethiopicum var. brevifolium (Snowden)
• Andropogon sorghum subvar. aristatus (Hack.)
• Andropogon arundinaceus var. effusus (Hack.)
• Andropogon sorghum var. effusus (Hack.)
• Andropogon stapfii (Hook.f.)
• Sorghum brevicarinatum var. swahilorum (Snowden)
• Andropogon sorghum subvar. submuticus (Hack.)
• Sorghum somaliense (Snowden)
• Andropogon verticilliflorus (Steud.)
• Sorghum vogelianum ((Piper) Stapf)
• Sorghum verticilliflorum ((Steud.) Stapf)
• Andropogon halepensis var. congoensis (Vanderyst)
• Sorghum stapfii ((Hook.f.) C.E.C.Fisch.)
• Sorghum bicolor var. aethiopicum ((Hack.) de Wet & Huckabay)
• Sorghum bicolor subsp. arundinaceum ((Desv.) Davidse)
• Sorghum aethiopicum ((Hack.) Rupr. ex Stapf)
• Sorghum pugionifolium (Snowden)
• Andropogon sorghum subsp. abyssinicus (Piper)
• Andropogon sorghum subsp. verticilliflorus ((Steud.) Piper)
• Andropogon sorghum subvar. breviaristatus (Hack.)
• Andropogon sorghum subsp. vogelianus (Piper)
• Andropogon sorghum subvar. longiaristatus (Hack.)
• Sorghum castaneum (C.E.Hubb. & Snowden)
• Andropogon sorghum var. aethiopicus (Hack.)
• Sorghum brevicarinatum (Snowden)
• Andropogon halepensis var. astolonifer (Vanderyst)
• Holcus sorghum subsp. verticilliflorus ((Steud.) Hitchc.)
• Sorghum verticilliflorum var. infrequens (Snowden)
• Sorghum lanceolatum (Stapf)
• Sorghum bicolor var. verticilliflorum ((Steud.) de Wet & Huckabay)
• Rhaphis arundinacea (Desv.)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Benin (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• Congo (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Equatorial Guinea (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Free State (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• India (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Kenya (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Mali (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Mauritius (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Rodrigues (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Réunion (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Seychelles (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Somalia (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Swaziland (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Togo (native)
• Uganda (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil North (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• Niue (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Pitcairn Is. (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Samoa (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tonga (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Feb 19, 2020 by Chumby Natalia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 15, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 15, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 15, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 15, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 15, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 15, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 15, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 15, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 15, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jan 15, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 15, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 15, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:422078-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/4108497)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Sorghum arundinaceum (Desv.) Stapf)

Specifications

Growth form>: Bunch

Growth habit>: Graminoid

Growth rate>: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 5.5