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Sorghum halepense - (L.)Pers.

Common Name Johnson Grass
Family Poaceae or Gramineae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards The pollen can induce hay fever[269].
Habitats Dry open habitats[50].
Range Europe to Asia.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Sorghum halepense Johnson Grass


Sorghum halepense Johnson Grass

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Sorghum halepense is a PERENNIAL growing to 2 m (6ft) by 1.2 m (4ft in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Holcus halapensis.

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses:

Seed - raw or cooked. It can be used whole in a similar manner to rice or millet, or it can be ground into a flour and used as a cereal in making bread, cakes etc[46, 105].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Demulcent  Diuretic

The seed is demulcent and diuretic[240].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Biomass

The plant is a potential source of biomass with yields of up to 19 tonnes per hectare[269].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in ordinary garden soil[1]. It is adapted to a wide range of soil types, including upland clay, but seems to do best on porous fertile lowlands and river bottoms[269]. It does well on heavy clay soils of relatively high fertility and water holding capacity[269]. Temperatures below 13°C tend to inhibit flowering[269]. For best results, it requires a warm sunny position[1]. The plant is reported to tolerate an annual precipitation in the range of 9 to 429cm, an annual temperature in the range of 8.3 to 27.8°C and a pH of 4.9 to 8.2[269]. This species is not very winter hardy, tolerating occasional temperatures down to about -5°c so long as the soil is not too wet. It is best adapted to warm humid summer-rainfall areas in the subtropics, not growing well in strictly tropical areas[269]. A very aggressive plant[46], spreading freely at the roots and only suitable for large areas[233]. It is a parent of the cultivated Sorghum (S. bicolor)[171]. Classified as a short day plant, it does not flower if the daylight hours exceed about 13 hours per day[269].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow April in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and plant them out after the last expected frosts. Division in mid spring as the plant comes into new growth. Larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found it best to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame, planting them out once they are well established in the summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan (south), Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan TROPICAL ASIA: India, Pakistan AFRICA: Egypt, Libya

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Sorghum bicolorSorghum, Common wild sorghum, Grain sorghum, SudangrassAnnual5.0 9-12 FLMHNDM423
Sorghum hybridsPerennial SorghumPerennial3.0 7-12 FLMHNDM413

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(L.)Pers.

Botanical References

50200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Maggie Arneson   Sat Sep 16 2006

i think you need more info on what you need to do to let the plant grow the best and you need stuff on how tall it is and the climate but other wise this was a usful website thanks

   Wed Mar 12 2008

"Sorghum halepense is an extremely invasive noxious weed with a worldwide distribution. High seed production and an extensive rhizomal system makes it difficult to eradicate. This species has a number of detrimental effects including: toxicity to grazing stock, fire risk during summer and competitive exclusion of other plants. It reduces soil fertility, acts as a host for crop pathogens and is a known allergen." check out this website, before you eat this WEED, if it kills cows you have to wonder how safe it is for human consumption!!!!!!

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