Shattercane
June 15, 2015
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EmailSorghum bicolor (L.) Moench Poaceae (Grass family)
Life cycle
Erect summer annual.
Leaves
Leaves are rolled in the bud, sparsely hairy at the base. Leaf sheaths are hairless but can be sparsely hairy at maturity. Leaves are 1 to 4 inches wide at maturity with a prominent, white midrib.
Shattercane plant showing white midrib.
Ligule
Membranous with a fringe of hairs.
Stems
Erect, robust stems grow up to 8 feet tall, resembling corn.
Shattercane in corn.
Flowers and fruit
The seedhead is a large, open panicle. Spikelets are paired as fertile (long) and sterile (short) florets. Reddish black, rounded, flattened seeds are ellipsoid to ovoid and shiny, they often shatter before crop harvest.
Shattercane seedhead.
Reproduction
Seeds.
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