Annual sorghum (Sorghum stipoideum) in the Western Australian rangelands

Page last updated: Wednesday, 7 July 2021 - 8:32am

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Annual sorghum (Sorghum stipoideum) is one of many plant species found in the Western Australian rangelands. This page provides a summary of the plant's value for pastoralism. Pastoral lessees and station managers can use this information to assess pasture condition and trend.

Indicator value

Where annual sorghum is dominant, it indicates fair to poor pasture condition in most pastures. Annual sorghum is usually considered an intermediate species. It is initially an increaser when pastoral condition deteriorates but may decrease under very heavy grazing pressure.

Forage value

Annual sorghum is palatable to livestock when it is young, but becomes unpalatable when it is mature and has very little bulk.

Habitat

Various loamy, sandy and rocky soils.

General description

Annual sorghum is a slender, erect annual grass growing up to 3m tall (depending on soil and rainfall). The leaf blades are blue-green, flat and up to 30cm long. The seed head is a light brown single spike 10–40cm long. It flowers from February to May.

Contact information

Matthew Fletcher
+61 (0)8 9166 4019
Kath Ryan
+61 (0)8 9166 4015

Annual sorghum (Sorghum stipoideum) in the Western Australian rangelands

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