Shattercane

Sorghum bicolor

Weed Description
Shattercane is an annual that resembles johnsongrass and grain sorghum in appearance and growth habit. It has been known to hybridize with cultivated johnsongrass and sorghum.

Seedlings
Pubescence occurs at the leaf and sheath. At the leaf, both surfaces are pubescent. The ligule is a fringed membrane.

Leaves
Usually without hairs and have very long flat leaves, 1-2 feet long and 1-2 inches wide, a distinct midvein is also present. Liguel is membranous and 2-3mm long. Leaves are rolled in the shoot.

Stems
Very robust and tall ranging from 3-5 meters.

Flowers
The seedhead is very compact unlike johnsongrass. Spikelets occur in pairs.

Roots
Similar to Grain Sorghum, Shattercane produces tillers and adventitious roots.

Seeds
Reproduction is only by seeds and has a black to reddish seed. Seeds are shiny and oval to round in appearance.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Shattercane

Sorghum bicolor