A cereal grain plant, probably originating in Africa, with edible starchy seeds. It was probably first cultivated when increasing dryness began to affect the already numerous human groups, after 7000 BP. This plant with its fine ears of grain needs 500-600 mm of water a year. Sorghum vulgare, which includes varieties of grain sorghums and grass sorghums, is grown for hay and fodder, and broomcorn, used in making brooms and brushes. Grain sorghums include durra, milo, shallu, kafir corn, Egyptian corn, great millet, and Indian millet. Sorghum is especially valued in hot and arid regions for its resistance to drought and heat.