Gourt > Science > Biology > Flora and Fauna > Plantae > Magnoliophyta > Liliopsida > Poaceae > Sorghum
Sorghum is a genus of about 20 species of grasses raised for grain, native to tropical and subtropical regions of Eastern Africa, with one species native to Mexico. The plant is cultivated in Southern Europe, Central America and Southern Asia. Other names include Durra, Egyptian Millet, Feterita, Guinea Corn, Jowar, Juwar, Kaffirkoring, Milo, Shallu and Sudan Grass.
Cultivation and uses
Sorghum is used for food, fodder, and the production of alcoholic beverages. It is drought tolerant and heat tolerant and is especially important in arid regions. It is an important food crop in Africa, Central America, and South Asia, and is the "fifth most important cereal crop grown in the world" *. African slaves introduced sorghum into the U.S., where most of the world's commercially grown sorghum is now produced, in the early 17th century.
| Top Sorghum Producers - 2005 (million metric ton) | |
|---|---|
| 9.8 | |
| 8.0 | |
| 8.0 | |
| 6.3 | |
| 4.2 | |
| 2.9 | |
| 2.6 | |
| 1.8 | |
| 1.7 | |
| 1.5 | |
| World Total | 58.6 |
| Source: UN Food & Agriculture Organisation (FAO)* | |
Sorghum halepense - Close-up image of flower head.
Sorghum halepense - Image of part of the plant.
Sorghum halepense - English common names: Johnson grass, Aleppo grass, Aleppo milletgrass. Invasive species profile, with several photos, from Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk.
Sorghum halepense (Johnson Grass) - An exotic species resource page from The Nature Conservancy. Includes description, images, natural history, and control strategy for this cosmopolitan weed.
Meta Description: [ The Nature Conservancy's national program for dealing with harmful invasive plant species on its preserves. ]
Sorghum halepense - Johnson Grass - Vegetation Management Guideline - Species description, photo, and recommendations on control methods, from Illinois Nature Preserves Commission.
Sorghum vulgare - A short description and an account of its medicinal uses.
Meta Description: [ Providing botanical, folk-lore and herbal information, plus organic herbs, and herbal products. ]
Sorghum: Origin, History, Technology, Production - Description of a book offered for sale.
| Sweet Sorghum | |
| Next Video | |
