Johnsongrass

Scientific Name - Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers.
Family - Gramineae

Coarse perennial from long, thick, scaly, sharp pointed rhizomes. Stems erect, forming dense stands to 6 feet (2 m) tall. Leaf blade with prominent white midvein and hairs at base of upper surface. Prominent membranous ligule at base of leaf blade. Large, open seedhead often purple in color. Seeds hairy. Does not persist under close frequent mowing. Reproduces by seed and rhizomes. Found from Massachusetts to Iowa, south into Florida, and west into Texas, Arizona and California. Also found in the West Indies, Mexico, Central and South America, Hawaii, Europe, Africa, India, and Australia. Native from southern Eurasia east to India. Introduced into the warmer regions of the world.