Scientific Name Sorghum halepense Common Name Johnsongrass

CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

Characteristics Family Poaceae Plant Description Tall, coarse, herbaceous perennial; leaves long with a whitish midrib below; flowers and fruits in a terminal cluster. Origin Europe. Distribution Throughout. Where Found Weedy in disturbed areas, of fields and roadsides. Mode Ingestion, if mixed with or mistaken for sorghum. Poisonous Part Leaves. Symptoms No cases of human poisoning. Toxic Principle Cyanogenic glycoside. Severity CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.