Johnsongrass

Common Name:

johnsongrass

Scientific Name:

Sorghum halapense

Family:

Poaceae

Lifecycle:

Perennial

Features

Growth habit: tall upright growing perennial grass spreading by thicken rhizomes; Stem- rounded stiff stem, glabrous; Leaf: elongated leaf over 12 inches long, mostly glabrous with a distinct white mid-rib; Collar: short membranous ligule with a fringe of a hairs, short hairs in the collar region; Inflorescence: large conical panicle at the apex of the plant, 6 to 10 inches in size.

Description

Tall growing perennial grass once propagated as a forage. Grows widely throughout the Southeast, but highly adapted to high pH black belt soils. Plant can become toxic as the plant ages and as temperatures become colder.