Although they were brought here during early colonial days they did not become important crops until farming developed in drier sections of the United States. They generally outyielded other grains under conditions of limited moisture. Grain sorghum plants are coarse annual grasses. Nearly all of the varieties grown in the United States are so-called dwarf types, with stems under 5 feet in height and suitable for harvesting with combines. In other countries many taller-stemmed kinds are grown.
Leaves are relatively broad, bave numerous but small stomata, and are covered with a waxy bloom.
They tend to roll along the midrib under moisture stress. Thus the plant is more drought resistant than most other grains and requires less water per pound of dry matter produced. Flowers and seeds are borne in relatively dense panicles that vary from 3 to 20 inches in length and up to 3 inches in width. The panicle is enclosed in a rather strong sheath until just before the first flowers open. Branch stems in the panicle rise in whorls and inay be few or many.