Johnson Grass
ExplorePlants
Johnson Grass
sorghum halepense
Johnson Grass is a tall and bushy grass that can grow as high as a person! It has broad green leaves and fluffy seed heads that dance in the wind.
Habitat: Johnson Grass typically grows in warm areas, often found in fields, roadsides, and disturbed lands.
Appearance
The Johnson Grass has sturdy, upright stems that can reach impressive heights, often topped with a large, airy, purplish-green seed head called a panicle. Its broad, lance-shaped leaves are green with a prominent white midrib, distinguishing it from many other grasses.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderPoalesFamilyPoaceaeGenusSorghum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
Snaps
11
Interesting facts
It's considered one of the world's worst weeds, spreading super fast!
Its seeds can stay buried and sprout successfully for over 10 years!
This grass arrived in the USA from the Mediterranean region in the 1800s!
Under stress, it can produce a poison dangerous to grazing animals!
Special abilities
Ability
Rhizome Power
Johnson Grass can regrow easily even after being cut because it has strong underground stems called rhizomes that store energy.
Ability
Super Seed Spreader
Johnson Grass has seeds that can stay alive in the soil for over a decade, helping it sprout new plants year after year.
Ability
Rapid Growth Racer
Johnson Grass can grow incredibly fast, quickly outcompeting other plants for sunlight and nutrients in an area.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 50-250 cm
- Spread
- 30-100 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.1-0.3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer to fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Moderate
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eaten by
Cattle
Bos taurus
Provides forage, but can be toxic under certain conditions.
depends on
Maize
Zea mays
Strongly competes with this crop for essential resources.
eats
Fall Armyworm
Spodoptera frugiperda
Larvae are a common pest feeding on its leaves and stems.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Also known as
American GrassSorghum Grass
Collections
Safety
Danger
0/5 · No known danger
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Johnson Grass?
The easiest way to identify Johnson Grass is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Johnson Grass?
50-250 cm
How wide does Johnson Grass spread?
30-100 cm
How big are the flowers on Johnson Grass?
0.1-0.3 cm
When does Johnson Grass bloom?
Summer to fall
Is Johnson Grass edible?
No
Is Johnson Grass toxic?
Moderate
What is Johnson Grass's lifecycle?
Perennial
Snap Map
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Recent Snaps
Jun 18, 2026
Missouri Botanical Gardeni
Photo attribution
no rights reserved
License: CC0 1.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Jun 3, 2026
SeaWorld San Antonioi
Photo attribution
(c) Jason Layman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
License: CC BY-SA 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Johnson Grass
Jun 6, 2026
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