Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.

Holcus halepensis L. Sp. PL 1047. 1753
Blumenbackia halepensis Koeler, Descr. Gram. 29. 1802.
Andropogon halepensis Brot. Fl. Lusit. 1 : 89. 1804.
Sorgum halepense Pers. Syn. PI. 1 : 101. 1805.
Andropogon avenaceus H.B.K. Nov. Gen. & Sp. 1 : 189. 1816. Not A. avenaceus Michx. 1803.
Andropogon Sorghum halepensts Hack, in DC. Monog. Phan. 6 : 501. 1889.
Smooth and glabrous. Stems 5-15 dm. tall, from a, long rootstock; leaf-blades 5 dm. long or less, up to 3 cm. wide; panicle 1.5-5 dm. long, oblong to oval, its branches ascending, the longer ones 7-14 cm. long; sessile spikelet 4.5-5.5 mm. long, ovate, the outer 2 scales densely appressed-pubescent with silky hairs, the first scale 3-toothed at the apex, the readily deciduous awn of the fourth scale 1-1.5 cm. long, the spiral column much exserted; pedicellate spikelet 5-7 mm. long, lanceolate, the 2 outer scales sparingly pubescent.
Type locality : Syria.
Distribution : New Jersey to California, and south to Florida, Texas, and Costa Rica, in Bermuda and Cuba, and generally throughout warm temperate and tropical regions.