Sorghum leiocladum

Tufted or shortly rhizomatous perennial, culms erect, to c. 1 m high, hairs at nodes white, spreading, c. 4 mm long. Leaves with scattered hairs; blade flat, to c. 40 cm long and 3 cm wide, scabrous along margins, midrib much thickened; ligule membranous, c. 2 mm long, glabrous, but surrounded by silky hairs c. 3 mm long. Inflorescence a slender panicle 10–20 cm long, of 8–20 pedunculate racemes, mostly c. 2 cm long; pedicellate spikelets male only, c. 5 mm long, purplish, falling before bisexual spikelets; bisexual spikelets to 7 mm long; glumes covered with tawny hairs in lower part, scabrous above, becoming hardened and shining dark brown at maturity; sterile lemma thinly membranous, slightly shorter than glumes; fertile lemma about half as long as sterile one, thinly membranous, broadly notched at apex, with once or twice bent, twisted awn c. 2 cm long attached at base of notch; palea rudimentary or absent. Flowers Jan.–Mar.