Johnsongrass - seedling

Common: Johnsongrass

Scientific: Sorghum halepense

Affected Crops: Corn, cotton, rice, soybeans, tobacco.

Identification: Vigorous perennial plant that spreads by seed or by creeping, robust fleshy rhizomes. Plants form hydrocyanic acid when under frost or moisture stress, making the plant toxic to livestock. Both the leaves and the leaf sheath of the seedling are smooth. The plant has no ligules and with its solid stem, Johnsongrass can grow 2-8 feet tall. It has reddish-purple spikelets, as well as awns that are bent and needle-like.

Geographical Distribution: Can be found from Massachussets to Iowa, south to Florida and Texas to southern California. Commonly found in roadsides, ditches and cultivated fields.

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