Johnson Grass at LLELA Resources

McWhorter, C. G. (1971). Introduction and Spread of The LLELA area’s history as Johnsongrass in the United States. Weed Science,19(5), 496-500. Retrieved December 4, 2018, from Johnson Grass: farmland, as well as its close http://tsusinvasives.org/dotAsset/3be52644-1f4c-42ca-94ac- proximity to water, make it a prime d5efdd4d9c3c.pdf Scourge of the Plains location for Johnson Grass to take Howard, J.L. 2004. halepense. In: Fire Effects root. Johnson Grass is an invasive Information System. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest species at LLELA, meaning that it is Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences a non-native species with the Laboratory. potential to cause severe harm to the local ecosystem. The species was Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area. (n.d.). Retrieved introduced by humans, and as such, from https://www.llela.org/about-llela/history it is our duty to do all we can to reverse the damage done, and see to it that this area’s ecology remains Presented by LLELA healthy. How did it get here? Why is it a threat? What can be done about it?

Johnson Grass, Sorghum halepense, is a Johnson Grass is able to “choke out” other The most effective way to prevent grass species native to the species in a given area. It can Johnson Grass from invading an area is to mediterranean. It spread from this outcompete native , taking up their promote a healthy natural ecosystem of region to europe and eventually to the growing space, stealing their water, and native species. Johnson Grass takes United States through crop blocking out the sunlight that native species advantage of disturbed areas, especially contamination. Shipments of seeds for need to grow. Much of this is because of disused farmland. Once a native crops would have a small amount of Johnson Grass being able to grow so tall so ecosystem is reestablished in an area, Johnson Grass seed mixed in quickly, reaching up to 8ft in height. Because Johnson Grass can’t take advantage of its accidentally. Some farmers would also of this, Johnson Grass is able to take over land ability to outgrow the existing species. intentionally plant Johnson Grass in that has been previously disturbed by When found, the grass should be pulled, order to prevent soil erosion and to humans, including farm land. Although it is and the land should be tilled to destroy provide their livestock with food. edible by foraging animals such as deer or the root system. Areas severely infested Colonel William Johnson introduced cattle, a diet which relies too heavily on should be treated with the the species in his farm in Alabama, Johnson Grass can cause health problems due . which is how it got the common name to the nitrate concentration in the plant. Also, Johnson Grass. when eaten at some stages of its growth cycle, Johnson Grass can be toxic due to the presence of cyanide.