Ryegrass, Perennial Ryegrass
Lolium perenne L.
Poaceae
Description
Ryegrass is an annual or short-lived perennial, cool season, introduced species that ranges from 24 to 36 inches or 61 to 91 cm tall. The erect stems are dark green with dark, swollen joints. and prominent auricles at the leaf collar. Lemmas are awned. There are ridges on the leaf’s upper surface, and the lower surface is smooth and glossy. The inflorescence ranges from 3 to 12 inches or 8 to 30 cm in length. Its flowers are yellow. Spikelets are set edgewise and fit into the concave rachis. The seeds do not have awns. Seeding rates vary based on local growing conditions.Habitat
Grown as a lawn, meadow, and improved pasture grass. It is also used as a soil stabilizer. Increases on all disturbed sites. It is native to Europe, but it is found throughout the United States. Its use in Texas is restricted by its lack of extreme temperature and drought tolerance. Perennial Ryegrass can be found on roadsides, open fields, croplands, and pasturelands.Images
Plant Characteristics
Seed Type: Non-Encapsulated
Duration: Annual, Perennial
Stem Texture: Hairless/Smooth
Growth Habit: Bunch grass, Grasses
Leaf Shape
: Simple with Pinnate or Parallel Venation
Season: Cool
Distribution
: 01 - Pineywoods, 02 - Gulf Prairies and Marshes, 03 - Post Oak Savannah, 04 - Blackland Prairies, 05 - Cross Timbers and Prairies, 06 - South Texas Plains, 07 - Edwards Plateau, 08 - Rolling Plains, 09 - High Plains, 10 - Trans-Pecos
Distributions
Distribution refers to the ecological region in Texas that a plant has been found. You can also view a clickable map.
Book: Know Your Grasses (B-182)
Collection: Grasses
