Johnsongrass
Johnson grass is a very aggressive, perennial grass. It is a tall, coarse, grass with stout rhizomes and grows in dense clumps or nearly solid stands and can reach 8 feet (2.4 meters) in height. Rhizome cuttings commonly form new plants, making it very difficult to eradicate. It spreads rapidly and is not affected by many of the agricultural herbicides. Distribution Originally native to the Mediterranean, this grass now occurs in all warm-temperate regions of the world. It is widely distributed in tropical America, common in the southern USA, but is found throughout the United States. This species occurs in crop fields, pastures, abandoned fields, rights-of-way, forest edges, and along stream banks. It thrives in open, disturbed, rich, bottom ground, particularly in cultivated fields.
Johnson grass invades riverbank communities and disturbed sites, particularly fallow fields and forest edges, where it crowds out native species and slows succession. It quickly dominates the herbaceous flora, reduces plant diversity, and is unsightly to observers.
Some of the Ineffective methods to eliminate Johnsongrass include:
If you encounter Johnsongrass it is advisable to contact your local County Extension Agent or local Master Gardeners for advice. They will know which methods work best in your particular region and circumstances. |