BROOMCORN

a variety of upright grass of the species Sorghum vulgare, or S. bicolor variety technicum, belonging to the family Gramineae (sometimes Poaceae) and cultivated for their stiff stems. The seeds of broomcorn are borne on the ends of long straight branches. When harvested and dried, these stiff bristles are processed and bound to form broom heads and brushes. S. vulgare is grown in the Great Plains of North America. Broomcorn is also the common name of Panicum miliaceum, a type of millet (q.v.).