Sorgum Adanson (1763), not Sorghum Moench (1794).

Annuals or perennials. Leaf blades flat. Inflorescence a moderately to densely contracted panicle. Spikelets laterally compressed, disarticulating below glumes, florets 2, lower floret bisexual, upper floret staminate; rachilla usually curved and hooked below bisexual floret, often shortly extended above staminate floret; glumes subequal, papery, enclosing florets, strongly keeled, lower glume 1-veined, upper glume 3-veined; lemmas cartilaginous, shiny, rounded on back, veins indistinct, apex obtuse or 2-toothed, upper lemma or both awned; awn arising from upper 1/3 of lemma back, geniculate, hooked or straight; palea slightly shorter than lemma, membranous.

Eight species: N Africa, SW Asia, Europe; one species (introduced) in China.

(Authors: Wu Zhenlan (吴珍兰); Sylvia M. Phillips)