Experts consider johnson grass (Sorghum halepense) to be one of the ten worst weeds in the world. If frost or heat causes the plant to wilt, it can produce enough hydrogen cyanide to kill livestock. It grows at such a prodigious rate, it can choke out other crops. It’s named after Colonel William Johnson, an Alabama plantation owner who sowed lots of its seed around 1840.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Johnson grass or Johnsongrass, Sorghum halepense, is a plant in the grass family, Poaceae, native to Asia and northern Africa. The plant has been introduced to all continents except Antarctica, and most larger islands and archipelagos. It reproduces by rhizomes and seeds.
Johnson grass has been used for forage and to stop erosion, but it is often considered a weed because:
- Foliage that becomes wilted from frost or hot, dry weather can contain sufficient amounts of hydrogen cyanide to kill cattle and horses if it is eaten in quantity.
- The foliage can cause ‘bloat’ in such herbivores from the accumulation of excessive nitrates; otherwise, it is edible.
- It grows and spreads rapidly, it can ‘choke out’ other cash crops planted by farmers.
This species occurs in crop fields, pastures, abandoned fields, rights-of-way, forest edges, and along streambanks. It thrives in open, disturbed, rich, bottom ground, particularly in cultivated fields. Johnson grass that is resistant to the common herbicide glyphosate has been found in Argentina and the United States. It is considered to be one of the ten worst weeds in the world. In the United States, Johnson grass is listed as either a noxious or quarantined weed in 19 states. With Sorghum bicolor it is a parent of Sorghum × almum, a forage crop also considered a weed in places.
It is named after an Alabama plantation owner, Colonel William Johnson, who sowed its seeds on river-bottom farm land circa 1840. The plant was already established in several US states a decade earlier, having been introduced as a prospective forage or accidentally as a seedlot contaminant.
In early 20th century Talladega County (Alabama), feelings about Johnson grass were mixed. It was considered a nutritious, palatable and productive forage, but many farmers still found it undesirable. Fields of this grass fell into a “sod bound” state of insufficient new growth unless they were plowed every two or three seasons.
A genetic study employing microsatellite markers has investigated Johnsongrass populations across 12 US states and confirmed that the weed was introduced to the US from Alabama and North Carolina. Moreover, the study also detected an unreported independent introduction from Arizona. After trans-continental railroad building the two founding populations began to intermix around Texas shifting diversity from centers of introduction.
The 1889 book The Useful Native Plants of Australia records that Sorghum halepense is a “strong, erect-growing species, varying from two to ten feet high, succulent when young, a splendid grass for a cattle run, though not much sought after by sheep. It is a free seeder. The settlers on the banks of the Hawkesbury (New South Wales) look upon it as a recent importation, and seed of it has been distributed under the name of Panicum speciabile. (WooUs) Coast of Queensland, New South Wales, and Western Australia.”
Human poisoning from johnson grass is most likely to occur from accidental ingestion if it is confused for the edible grain sorghum. This plant is known to contain low-level toxic compounds in the leaves. There have been no documented cases of human poisoning from johnson grass, so the symptoms are unknown. The risk of toxicity is higher when the plant has been stressed by droughts, frosts, trampling, hail damage, insects, or wilting.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Johnson grass thrives under full sun conditions, preferring bright and direct light to achieve its optimal growth and health. These ideal conditions contribute to vigorous development and productive capacity. While Johnson grass exhibits a certain level of tolerance to partial sun, any substantial divergence from full sunlight may result in diminished growth and vitality. When not basking in full sun, it may initiate adaptive responses such as leaf orientation adjustments to maximize light capture. Outdoors, Johnson grass should be planted in locations that afford clear, unobstructed exposure to sunlight for the majority of the day, consistent with its preference for copious light.
Watering
Johnson grass thrives in its native habitat where it has adapted to periodic moisture availability. This species exhibits a robust tolerance for drought, indicative of its ability to manage water stress effectively. Its watering regimen should reflect moderate frequency, aligning with twice-a-week irrigation to maintain soil moisture without over-saturation. As johnson grass is typically an outdoor plant known for its resilience, it’s important to consider the growing season when adjusting water supply, ensuring that during peak growth periods, water availability matches the increased demands of the plant.
Propagation
Johnson grass propagates ideally in Spring and Autumn through division. This method can be moderately challenging. Successful propagation is signified by new growth on divided sections. Proper root separation helps ensure healthy propagation.
Transplanting
The ideal season to transplant johnson grass is between its second and third growing season (S2-S3), attributing to its sturdy root system establishment. Location matters, opt for a sunny, well-drained spot. Remember, it’s about the timing, not rushing it.