Common wild sorghum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Common wild sorghum |
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| Habit | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Sorghum
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| Species: |
arundinaceum
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Sorghum arundinaceum, also known as the common wild sorghum, is a type of flowering plant. It belongs to the Poaceae family, which is the grass family. This plant is found naturally in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and islands in the Indian Ocean. It also grows in the Indian Subcontinent.
Over time, this plant has spread to other places. You can now find it in northern South America, parts of the United States (like California and Florida), Puerto Rico, Taiwan, and New Guinea. It has also reached several smaller islands around the world.
Sorghum arundinaceum is very important because it is the wild ancestor of the sorghum we grow for food. This cultivated sorghum is called Sorghum bicolor. Some experts even think that Sorghum arundinaceum is just a type or subspecies of Sorghum bicolor.
What is Sorghum?
Sorghum is a type of cereal grain. It is grown all over the world. People use it for food, animal feed, and even to make biofuel. It is a very important crop, especially in dry areas. This is because sorghum plants can grow well even when there isn't much water.
Where Does it Grow?
The common wild sorghum grows in many different places. It is native to a large area of Africa south of the Sahara Desert. It also grows on islands like Madagascar in the Indian Ocean. You can find it in countries across the Indian Subcontinent.
This plant has also been introduced to new areas. It can now be found in parts of South America, such as northern regions. It has also spread to some United States states, including California and Florida. Other places where it has been introduced include Puerto Rico, Taiwan, and New Guinea.
Wild vs. Cultivated Sorghum
Sorghum arundinaceum is known as the wild form of sorghum. This means it grows naturally without people planting it. It is the ancestor of the sorghum that farmers grow today. The cultivated type is called Sorghum bicolor.
Scientists study wild plants like Sorghum arundinaceum. They do this to understand how cultivated crops developed. Sometimes, wild plants have useful traits. These traits might include being resistant to diseases or able to grow in tough conditions. These traits can be used to improve the cultivated versions.
Some experts believe that Sorghum arundinaceum is not a separate species. They think it is just a variation or subspecies of Sorghum bicolor. This shows how closely related the wild and cultivated forms are.
