johnson grass
Noun: 1. A tall, perennial grass that spreads by creeping rhizomes: A type of grass known for its aggressive growth through underground stems (rhizomes). It is cultivated in some regions as a forage crop for livestock. 2. A serious agricultural pest: When naturalized outside its native range, particularly in the southern United States, it is considered a problematic weed that competes aggressively with cultivated crops.
- Noun:
- The farmer planted Johnson grass along the fence line as a source of emergency fodder for the cattle.
- Controlling the spread of Johnson grass is a major challenge for cotton growers.
- The field was overrun with Johnson grass, which choked out the young soybean plants.
- As an uncountable noun: The term is typically used as an uncountable noun when referring to the plant as a species or a mass of growth.
- Johnson grass is difficult to eradicate once established.
- In agricultural contexts: The word is most commonly found in discussions of agronomy, pasture management, and weed control.
- Sorghum halepense: The formal botanical (Latin) name for Johnson grass.
- Aleppo grass: A less common alternative name.
- Sorghum halepense (scientific name)
- Aleppo grass
The word carries two primary, context-dependent meanings: 1. A useful forage plant: In managed agricultural settings, it can be a deliberately planted crop for animal feed. 2. An invasive weed: In the context of cultivated fields (e.g., for corn, cotton, soybeans), it is almost exclusively discussed as a tenacious and undesirable pest. The negative connotation is dominant in modern agricultural usage.
- tall perennial grass that spreads by creeping rhizomes and is grown for fodder; naturalized in southern United States where it is a serious pest on cultivated land