Kafir sorghums, originally from South Africa, have thick, juicy stems, large leaves, and awnless cylindrical-shaped panicles. Seeds may be white, pink or red and are medium in size. Milo sorghums, originally from East Africa, have stems that are less juicy than in Kafir. Leaf blades are wavy with a yellow midrib. Heads are bearded or awned, compact, oval in shape.
Seeds are large, pale pink to cream in color.
Plants tend to be more tolerant to heat and drought than the Kafirs. Feterita sorghums came from Sudan. Leaves are sparse in number. Stems are slender and dry. Panicles are compact and oval in shape.