AppearanceSorghum halepense is a tall (up to 8 ft. [2.4 m]), rhizomatous, perennial grass that invades open areas throughout the United States.Foliage The 2 ft. (0.6 m) long, lanceolate leaves are arranged alternately along a stout, hairless, somewhat upward branching stem and have distinct, white midribs. Flowers Flowers occur in a loose, spreading, purplish panicle. Fruit Fruits are also produced in a panicle. Seeds form in the sessile spikelets.Ecological ThreatSorghum halepense is adapted to a wide variety of habitats including open forests, old fields, ditches and wetlands. It spreads aggressively and can form dense colonies which displace native vegetation and restrict tree seedling establishment. Sorghum halepense has naturalized throughout the world, but it is thought to be native to the Mediterranean region. It was first introduced into the United States in the early 1800s as a forage crop.

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Jil Swearingen, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org

James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org

Barry Fitzgerald, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org

Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org

Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org

Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org

Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org

Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org

Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org

Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org

Bonnie Harper-Lore, Federal Highway Administration, Bugwood.org

Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org

Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org

Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org

Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org

Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org

Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org

David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org

USDA NRCS PLANTS Database , Bugwood.org

USDA NRCS PLANTS Database , Bugwood.org

Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org