Broom Corn, Red Hungarian

Broom Corn, Red Hungarian Sorghum bicolor  (100 to 110 days)   Although commonly called "Broom Corn",  is not truly corn. However it is related to corn in being a grass and in its growth habit.  The stalks are similar to corn but they do not produce ears. Seed heads appear from the tops of the plants instead of a tassel. Grows from 8-12' depending on fertility.  Makes a great living screen and/or trellis for pole beans.  Seeds formed in a loose panicle in a pretty orange / red color and are useful as a homestead grown poultry feed, or for ornamental use in wreaths. Once stripped of the seed, the seed stalks are traditionally used to make a highly functional broom.  Simply bunch a few stalks tightly together with wire or twine. The Amish are noted as having invented the flat bottomed broom through ingeniously figuring out a way to stitch the rough stalks into a flat shape that most of the world still uses today.  Before that brooms were round in shape as you may have seen in old sketch