GrassWildAnnual

Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.

Baroo · Jhonson grass

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Description

Sorghum halepense is a vigorous perennial rhizomatous grass, usually 1–2.5 m tall, forming dense colonies through extensive underground rhizomes. Culms are erect, cylindrical, smooth, and hollow between nodes. Rhizomes are thick, creeping, and allow rapid vegetative spread. Leaves are linear-lanceolate, broad, and flat, usually 20–80 cm long and 1–4 cm wide. Leaf blades are green, smooth or slightly rough, with a prominent midrib. Leaf sheaths are smooth and overlap around the stem. The ligule is membranous. The inflorescence is a large open panicle, usually 15–40 cm long, with spreading branches. Spikelets occur in pairs; one sessile fertile spikelet and one pedicelled sterile spikelet. Mature spikelets often become reddish-brown or purple and may possess awns. The fruit is a small caryopsis enclosed by floral bracts.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative

Perennial grass with strong rhizomes. Tall cane-like stems. Broad leaves.

Floral

Large open panicle. Paired spikelets. Purple-brown mature inflorescences. Ecological Characters Aggressive spreading habit.

Distribution

Native range: Originated from Mediterranean region, Southwest Asia.

In Pakistan: Widely distributed in Pakistan, India, Middle East, Europe, Americas, Australia.

Phenology

Flowering

Fruiting

Flowering: Summer Fruiting: Autumn

Ethnobotany & Uses

Agricultural Importance

One of the world's most serious weeds because of Extensive rhizome system, Rapid vegetative reproduction, Competition with crops.

Fodder Importance

Young shoots may provide Livestock forage. However, older plants may accumulate cyanogenic compounds and require caution.

Ecological Importance

Provides soil cover. Stabilizes disturbed areas.

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Where it grows on campus

This species is on the campus floristic list but was not pinned during the GPS mapping survey, so it has no map records yet.

Taxonomic Notes

Sorghum halepense belongs to tribe Andropogoneae.