Johnson grass

Johnson grass

Taxobox
name = Johnson Grass


image_width = 240px
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Liliopsida
ordo = Cyperales
familia = Poaceae
genus = "Sorghum"
species = "S. halepense"
binomial = "Sorghum halepense"
binomial_authority = Pers.

Johnson grass ("Sorghum halepense") is a plant in the grass family, Poaceae, native to the Mediterranean region, but growing throughout Europe and the Middle East. The plant has been introduced to all continents except Antarctica and most larger islands and archipelago. It reproduces by rhizomes and seeds.

Johnson grass has been used for forage and to stop erosion, but it is often considered a weed for the following reasons:
# Foliage that becomes wilted from frost or hot dry weather can contain sufficient amounts of prussic acid 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 so quickly that it can 'choke out' other cash crops that have been planted by farmers.

In Argentina the plant is causing new problems as it is growing resistant to the popular herbicide glyphosate [http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200709261554DOWJONESDJONLINE000700_FORTUNE5.htm] .

ee also

*List of plants poisonous to equines

References

External links

* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SOHA Johnson grass - US Department of Agriculture]
* [http://www.lib.ksu.edu/wildflower/johnsongrass.html Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses - Johnson grass page. Includes photos.]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Johnson grass — John son grass [Named after W. Johnson of Alabama, who planted it about 1840 1845.] (Bot.) A tall perennial grass ({Sorghum Halepense}), valuable in the Southern and Western States for pasture and hay. The rootstocks are large and juicy and are… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Johnson grass — ☆ Johnson grass n. a forage and pasture grass (Sorghum halepense), widespread in the S U.S., often as a weed …   English World dictionary

  • Johnson grass — noun tall perennial grass that spreads by creeping rhizomes and is grown for fodder; naturalized in southern United States where it is a serious pest on cultivated land • Syn: ↑Aleppo grass, ↑means grass, ↑evergreen millet, ↑Sorghum halepense •… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Johnson grass — a sorghum, Sorghum halepense, that spreads by creeping rhizomes, grown for fodder. Also called Aleppo grass, Means grass. [1880 85, Amer.; named after William Johnson, American agriculturist who first planted it in 1840] * * * …   Universalium

  • Johnson grass — noun A perennial Mediterranean grass (Sorghum halepense) cultivated for forage …   Wiktionary

  • Johnson grass — /ˈdʒɒnsən gras/ (say jonsuhn grahs) noun a species of the genus Sorghum, S. halepense, a native of the Mediterranean region but now widespread in many temperate and tropical countries, and poisonous to stock. {named after William Johnson, died… …  

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  • Grass bass — Grass Grass, n. [OE. gras, gres, gers, AS, gr[ae]s, g[ae]rs; akin to OFries. gres, gers, OS., D., G., Icel., & Goth. gras, Dan. gr[ae]s, Sw. gr[aum]s, and prob. to E. green, grow. Cf. {Graze}.] 1. Popularly: Herbage; the plants which constitute… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Grass bird — Grass Grass, n. [OE. gras, gres, gers, AS, gr[ae]s, g[ae]rs; akin to OFries. gres, gers, OS., D., G., Icel., & Goth. gras, Dan. gr[ae]s, Sw. gr[aum]s, and prob. to E. green, grow. Cf. {Graze}.] 1. Popularly: Herbage; the plants which constitute… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Grass cloth — Grass Grass, n. [OE. gras, gres, gers, AS, gr[ae]s, g[ae]rs; akin to OFries. gres, gers, OS., D., G., Icel., & Goth. gras, Dan. gr[ae]s, Sw. gr[aum]s, and prob. to E. green, grow. Cf. {Graze}.] 1. Popularly: Herbage; the plants which constitute… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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