Johnsongrass

Sorghum halepense

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Sorghum
Species:
Sorghum halepense

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Graminoid
Height:
6-8 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jun, sep
Bloom Colors:
green

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Palau, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming, Canada: Ontario

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Brown Ctenucha (Ctenucha brunnea), Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda), lesser cornstalk borer (Elasmopalpus lignosellus), Mexican rice borer (Eoreuma loftini), rascal dart moth (Agrotis malefida), white-dotted wainscot (Leucania subpunctata), Neamathla Skipper (Nastra neamathla), Swarthy Skipper (Nastra lherminier)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
fertile, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
dry to moderate
Notes:
native to regions with variable moisture levels