JOHNSONGRASS 



Sorghum halepense L. Pers. 



Johnsongrass is a terrestrial plant which grows along the banks of 

 irrigation ditches and on cultivated land. It is troublesome in fields, 

 and can become so dense along ditchbanks that it will impede 

 waterflow and lower the water carrying capacity of the irrigation 

 ditches. 



This is a perennial grass which can reach heights of over 1800 

 millimeters. The flat, narrow leaves have smooth margins, prominent, 

 light-colored mid-veins, and can grow up to 500 millimeters in length. 

 The loosely branched flower cluster is large, purplish in color and hairy 

 (insert 2). Johnsongrass forms a fibrous root system, and stout, purplish 

 rootstocks (rhizomes), which are usually scaly (insert 1). Reproduction 

 is by the extensive, creeping rootstocks and prolific seed production, 

 making this plant extremely difficult to control or eradicate. The 

 rootstocks are able to withstand cold temperatures and the seed can 

 lie dormant until more favorable growing conditions occur. 



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