Johnson Grass allergy: Symptoms, Treatment, Immunotherapy, Tips to avoid

Johnson Grass, a hardy perennial weed scientifically known as Sorghum halepense, thrives across various parts of the United States, posing allergenic challenges for many. A species originally native to the Mediterranean region, Johnson Grass has become widely naturalized in the southern states due to its preference for warm climates. States like Texas, Oklahoma, and California offer this plant a suitable habitat, with its rapid spread being facilitated through fields, along roadsides, and in disturbed soils. Moving eastward, it can also be found in abundance across the southeastern states, including Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, where its growth becomes luxuriant. As we head north, the presence of Johnson Grass becomes less dominant but still makes its mark in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions, with states like Missouri, Virginia, and parts of Kansas identifying pockets of growth. The grass thrives in open, sunny environments where it can quickly establish a foothold, making its way up the Mississippi River basin, which provides an ideal route for dispersal. However, colder northern climates tend to curtail its expansion, thus limiting its presence in the upper Midwest and Northeastern United States. Nonetheless, its allergenic pollen knows no boundaries, and when in season, it can impact individuals well beyond the areas where it grows.