XVI International Botanical Congess

The taxa comprising the traditional genus Sorghum are actually part of at least three different lineages, each distinct enough from each other to be uniquely recognized. The initial data used to assess the generic limits of the group were molecular, including sequences from the chloroplast gene ndhF and the nuclear gene waxy. Morphological characters including leaf epidermal anatomy and spikelet characters have also been examined and differences between lineages support splitting Sorghum. Of the taxa traditionally included in the grass subtribe Sorginae, only Cleistachne and some sorghums appear as close relatives. Sorghastrum does not appear to be a close relative of the sorghums. Continuing studies of pedicellate spikelet development and chromosome number distribution in sorghums and relatives will add to our knowledge of this important set of species.