This little grass remains green longer in the summer than Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis) and it blooms a little later. However, the airy inflorescence of Kentucky Bluegrass is very different from the narrow floral spike of English Rye Grass. Two other introduced species, Lolium muliflorum (Italian Rye Grass) and Lolium temulentum (Darnel), are similar in appearance, but they are less common in Illinois. Italian Rye Grass is larger in size overall, with more lemmas per spikelet (10-20) that are usually awned. Darnel differs from the preceding grass species by having glumes that are longer than than its spikelets; these glumes are ½–¾" long. Because of their distinctive floral spikes, it is relatively easy to identify these three grasses. They should not be confused with Elymus spp. (Wild & Cultivated Rye), which are quite distinct, in spite of the similarity in their common names.

This introduced grass is a short-lived perennial that produces a small tuft of alternate leaves and an erect flowering culm about 8-16" tall. The leaf blades are about 2-4 mm. across and up to 5" long; they occur along the lower one-third of fertile culms. The blades are medium green to dark blue-green, hairless, and rather stiff and straight. The leaf sheaths are arranged tightly around their culms; they are medium green and hairless. Each fertile culm terminates in a flowering spike about 4-8" long. This spike consists of several sessile spikelets that alternate along two sides of the rachis (central stalk of the spike). The rachis is slightly indented where each spikelet occurs, providing it with a curvilinear zigzag appearance. Each spikelet is up to 12 mm. (½") long, consisting of a single outer glume at its base and 5-10 overlapping lemmas and their florets. Each lemma is 5-7 mm. in length, linear-oblong in shape, and gently curved along its outer surface. The glume is longer than individual lemmas, but shorter than the spikelet. Aside from its greater length, the glume is similar in appearance to the lemmas. The blooming period typically occurs during early summer, although this may be delayed by disturbance. As the lemmas mature, they become silvery green and then tan-colored. Each fertile lemma produces a single elongated grain. The root system consists of a tuft of shallow fibrous roots. This grass reproduces primarily by reseeding itself.

Perennial ryegrass grows from 1 to 2 feet tall with a bunchy form, and has medium longevity. Some turf varieties are longer lived. There are numerous long, narrow, stiff leaves near the base of the plant. The under surfaces of leaves are bright, glossy, and smooth. Inflorescence stems are nearly naked. Seedheads are spikes with spikelets growing edgewise to the seedhead stem. Seeds do not have awns (bristles). There are approximately 230,000 seeds per pound.

Italian ryegrass is quite similar to perennial ryegrass except it is an annual or biennial, depending on climate and/or length of growing season. It may grow a little taller than perennial ryegrass: from 2 to 3 feet tall. The seeds of this sub-species have awns.

Lolium perenne L.:
Argentina (South America)
Australia (Oceania)
Bolivia (South America)
Chile (South America)
Costa Rica (Mesoamerica)
Canada (North America)
Brazil (South America)
Greenland (North America)
Mexico (Mesoamerica)
Guatemala (Mesoamerica)
Peru (South America)
Honduras (Mesoamerica)
Panama (Mesoamerica)
Uruguay (South America)
Ecuador (South America)
French Guiana (South America)
Ethiopia (Africa & Madagascar)
Russian Federation (Asia)
United States (North America)
South Africa (Africa & Madagascar)
Caribbean (Caribbean)
India (Asia)
Venezuela (South America)

Lolium trabutii Hochr.:
Algeria (Africa & Madagascar)

Lolium brasilianum Nees:
Uruguay (South America)

Lolium perenne var. cristatum Pers.:
United States (North America)

Lolium multiflorum subsp. ramosum Guss. ex Arcang.:
United States (North America)

Canada

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

United States

Origin: Exotic

Regularity: Regularly occurring

Currently: Unknown/Undetermined

Confidence: Confident

Distribution: Pakistan (Baluchistan, Punjab, N.W.F.P & Kashmir); Widespread in Europe, temperate Asia and North Africa; widely introduced elsewhere.

Widely distributed in Europe, North Africa and the temperate regions of Asia.

N. Africa, Europe, temperate Asia.

These grasses have a wide range of adaptability to soils, but thrive best on dark rich soils in regions having mild climates. They do not withstand hot, dry weather or severe winters. They will stand fairly wet soils with reasonably good surface drainage.

Perennial ryegrass is distributed throughout the entire United States. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Website.

This common grass has been collected in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map); it probably occurs in every county within the state. Habitats include lawns, fallow fields, grassy areas along roadsides and railroads, and open waste areas. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred. English Rye Grass is often cultivated as a lawn grass in conjunction with Poa pratensis (Kentucky Bluegrass) and other turf grasses. It often escapes into adjacent areas, including lawns where it wasn't originally introduced.

Perennial Rye-Grass freely hybridizes with other species of Lolium and occasionally with species of Festuca. It is extremely variable, especially in the structure of the inflorescence which may be loosely branched or shortened and much congested. It is extensively cultivated as a lawn, forage or soil-binding grass.

1600-2800 m.

Perennials, Terrestrial, not aquatic, Rhizomes present, Stolons or runners present, Stems nodes swollen or brittle, Stems erect or ascending, Stems geniculate, decumbent, or lax, sometimes rooting at nodes, Stems caespitose, tufted, or clustered, Stems terete, round in cross section, or polygonal, Stem internodes hollow, Stems with inflorescence less than 1 m tall, Stems, culms, or scapes exceeding basal leaves, Leaves mostly basal, below middle of stem, Leaves mostly cauline, Leaves conspicuously 2-ranked, distichous, Leaves sheathing at base, Leaf sheath mostly open, or loose, Leaf sheath smooth, glabrous, Leaf sheath and blade differentiated, Leaf blades linear, Leaf blade auriculate, Leaf blades 2-10 mm wide, Leaf blades mostly flat, Leaf blades mostly glabrous, Leaf blades scabrous, roughened, or wrinkled, Ligule present, Ligule an unfringed eciliate membrane, Inflorescence terminal, Inflorescence simple spikes, Inflorescence solitary, with 1 spike, fascicle, glomerule, head, or cluster per stem or culm, Inflorescence branches more than 10 to numerous, Flowers bisexual, Spikelets sessile or subsessile, Spikelets laterally compressed, Spikelet less than 3 mm wide, Spikelets with 3-7 florets, Spikelets with 8-40 florets, Spikelets solitary at rachis nodes, Spikelets bisexual, Spikelets disarticulating above the glumes, glumes persistent, Spikelets closel y appressed or embedded in concave portions of axis, Rachilla or pedicel glabrous, Glumes present, empty bracts, Glumes 1 clearly present, the other greatly reduced or absent, Glumes distinctly unequal, Glumes shorter than adjacent lemma, Glumes 3 nerved, Glumes 4-7 nerved, Glumes 8-15 nerved, Lemmas thin, chartaceous, hyaline, cartilaginous, or membranous, Lemma coriaceous, firmer or thicker in texture than the glumes, Lemma 3 nerved, Lemma 5-7 nerved, Lemma glabrous, Lemma apex truncate, rounded, or obtuse, Lemma awnless, Lemma mucronate, very shortly beaked or awned, less than 1-2 mm, Lemma margins thin, lying flat, Lemma straight, Palea present, well developed, Palea membranous, hyaline, Palea about equal to lemma, Palea keels winged, scabrous, or ciliate, Stamens 3, Styles 2-fid, deeply 2-branched, Stigmas 2, Fruit - caryopsis, Caryopsis ellipsoid, longitudinally grooved, hilum long-linear.

Loosely to densely tufted perennial; culms 10-90 cm high, erect or spreading, sometimes prostrate and rooting from the lower nodes, slender. Leaf-blades 5-14(-30) cm long, 2-4(-6) mm wide, folded when young, with or without auricles up to 3 mm long at the base. Spikes straight or slightly curved, 3-30 cm long, stiff, slender to moderately stout, the spikelets usually less than their own length apart but sometimes more widely spaced. Spikelets 5-20 mm long, 3-10 (-14)-flowered; upper glume 3.5-15 mm long, one-third to as long as the spikelet, rarely exceeding it, 3-9-nerved, acute or obtuse; lemmas oblong or oblong-lanceolate, 3.5-9 mm long, smooth, obtuse or subacute, not turgid at maturity, usually awnless but rarely with an awn up to 8 mm long.

This species is extensively cultivated in temperate regions of the world as an excellent forage and lawn grass. It is a variable species, with many cultivars (Perennial Rye Grass).

Perennial, turf-forming. Culms tufted, erect or spreading, sometimes prostrate and rooting from lower nodes, 30–90 cm tall, 3–4-noded. Leaf blades soft, 5–20 cm × 3–6 mm, glabrous, young blades folded; auricles to 3 mm; ligule 2–2.5 mm. Raceme stiffly erect, or rarely slightly curved, 10–30 cm; rachis glabrous, smooth, spikelets usually less than their own length apart. Spikelets 0.8–2 cm, florets 5–10, rachilla internodes ca. 1 mm, smooth, glabrous; glume lanceolate, 1/3 as long to subequaling spikelet, 3–9-veined, margins narrowly membranous, apex acute or obtuse; lemmas oblong, herbaceous, 5–9 mm, 5-veined, smooth, apex obtuse to subacute, awnless; palea ciliolate along keels. Caryopsis length more than 3 times width. Fl. and fr. May–Jul. 2n = 14, 28.

Culm 25-50 cm tall, slender, 1-1.5 mm in diameter. Blades linear, 10-15 cm long, 2-5 mm wide; ligule membranous, tongue-shaped, 1.5-2 mm long; auricles conspicuous. Spike up to 15 cm long. Spikelets 2-10-flowered, rarely up to 14-flowered; up to 10 mm long; lower glume absent; upper glume subcoriaceous, narrowly lanceolate, 8 mm long, 5-nerved; lemmas subequal, usually awnless, chartaceous, broadly lanceolate, 5-nerved, as long as the floret, the lowest 7 mm long; palea oblong, as long as the lemma, 2-keeled, minutely ciliate along keels, apex sinus; anther 3 mm long.

Meadows, grassy places, moist roadsides. Commonly cultivated in China [Russia; N Africa, Europe].

This common grass has been collected in most counties of Illinois (see Distribution Map); it probably occurs in every county within the state. Habitats include lawns, fallow fields, grassy areas along roadsides and railroads, and open waste areas. Areas with a history of disturbance are preferred. English Rye Grass is often cultivated as a lawn grass in conjunction with Poa pratensis (Kentucky Bluegrass) and other turf grasses. It often escapes into adjacent areas, including lawns where it wasn't originally introduced.

A fine, firm seedbed gives the best results. Mulched seedings on graded soil germinate readily. Spring seedings of ryegrass may occur in March, April, or May. Perennial ryegrass may also be seeded mid-August to early September. Seeding rates will vary with local conditions and purpose of plantings. Generally, a rate of 20 to 25 pounds per acre is used if ryegrass is seeded alone. Lesser amounts per acre are used in mixtures, depending upon uses and companion species. Do not exceed 4 pounds per acre in mixes with alfalfa.

Foodplant / spot causer
pycnidium of Ascochyta coelomycetous anamorph of Ascochyta desmazieri causes spots on live leaf of Lolium perenne

In Great Britain and/or Ireland:
Foodplant / parasite
Blumeria graminis parasitises live Lolium perenne

Plant / resting place / within
puparium of Cerodontha incisa may be found in leaf-mine of Lolium perenne

Foodplant / parasite
Drechslera dematiaceous anamorph of Drechslera andersenii parasitises live Lolium perenne

Foodplant / saprobe
colony of Drechslera dematiaceous anamorph of Drechslera dematioidea is saprobic on dead leaf of Lolium perenne

Foodplant / gall
stroma of Epichlo causes gall of stem of Lolium perenne
Remarks: Other: uncertain

Foodplant / pathogen
long stalked apothecium of Gloeotinia granigena infects and damages fallen seed of Lolium perenne
Remarks: season: 5-7

Foodplant / pathogen
strand of Laetisaria fuciformis infects and damages dying plant of Lolium perenne
Remarks: season: 9-10

Foodplant / parasite
fruitbody of Limonomyces roseipellis parasitises live Lolium perenne
Other: major host/prey

Foodplant / spot causer
immersed, crowded or in rows pycnidium of Pseudoseptoria coelomycetous anamorph of Pseudoseptoria donacis causes spots on sheath of Lolium perenne
Remarks: season: 5-7

Foodplant / parasite
amphigenous, scattered or in patches uredium of Puccinia coronata parasitises live leaf of Lolium perenne
Remarks: season: summer

Foodplant / parasite
linear telium of Puccinia graminis ssp. graminicola parasitises live sheath of Lolium perenne

Foodplant / spot causer
conidiophore of Drechslera dematiaceous anamorph of Pyrenophora lolii causes spots on live leaf of Lolium perenne

Foodplant / spot causer
immersed, thin, subcuticular stromatic plates of Rhynchosporium coelomycetous anamorph of Rhynchosporium secalis causes spots on live sheath of Lolium perenne
Remarks: season: 4-9

Foodplant / spot causer
amphigenous, numerous, black pycnidium of Septoria coelomycetous anamorph of Septoria bromi causes spots on leaf of Lolium perenne

Foodplant / spot causer
Spermospora anamorph of Spermospora lolii causes spots on live leaf of Lolium perenne

Foodplant / pathogen
partly hidden sorus of Tilletia lolii infects and damages live spikelet of Lolium perenne

Foodplant / saprobe
fruitbody of Typhula incarnata is saprobic on dying stem of Lolium perenne

Foodplant / spot causer
long, linear, erumpent sorus of Urocystis agropyri causes spots on live, blistered, ribboned leaf of Lolium perenne

Foodplant / parasite
embedded sorus of Urocystis bolivarii parasitises live culm of Lolium perenne

Foodplant / spot causer
long, linear, erumpent sorus of Ustilago striiformis causes spots on live, blistered leaf of Lolium perenne

Surprisingly little is known about floral-faunal relationships for this common grass. Two insect species, Oulema melanopus (Cereal Leaf Beetle) and Chaetocnema pulicaria (Corn Flea Beetle), feed on the foliage of English Rye Grass; these polyphagous beetles also feed on many other species of both wild and cultivated grasses. The foliage is edible to mammalian herbivores, including cattle, sheep, goats, and horses. English Rye Grass was planted as a pasture grass in Europe before it was introduced into North America.

Fl. & Fr. Per.: May-July.

Collection Sites: world map showing specimen collection locations for Lolium perenne var. cristatum

Collection Sites: world map showing specimen collection locations for Lolium perenne

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) Stats
                                                             

Specimen Records:	1
Specimens with Sequences:	0
Specimens with Barcodes:	0
Public Records:	0
Species:	1
Species With Barcodes:	0

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) Stats
                                                             

Specimen Records:	12
Specimens with Sequences:	28
Specimens with Barcodes:	15
Public Records:	11
Species:	1
Species With Barcodes:	1

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 13
Species: 21
Species With Barcodes: 1

Canada

Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable

United States

Rounded National Status Rank: NNA - Not Applicable

Rounded Global Status Rank: GNR - Not Yet Ranked

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

This section is under development.

Ryegrasses cross-pollinate freely so many types have developed. It is difficult to maintain their genetic purity; consequently, Italian ryegrass is marketed as common ryegrass or domestic ryegrass, and it is often a mixture of annual and perennial species. There is no certification of this seed since pure varieties of Italian ryegrass are almost non-existent.

There are many cultivars of perennial ryegrass available for turf application. Newer turf-type cultivars are often intentionally infected with an endophytic fungus to improve stress-tolerance. Tetraploid forage cultivars also abound.

Seed of cultivars and common annual ryegrass is readily available from local commercial suppliers.

Ryegrass is generally cut for hay when seed is in the soft-dough stage. Ryegrass responds well to good management, such as intensive rotational grazing and fertilizer applications.

Perennial ryegrass is a valuable forage and soil stabilization plant. This species is the predominant forage grass in Europe, and has been used in the United States for forage and lawns. Generally speaking, the tetraploid cultivars are used for forage, and diploid cultivars are for lawns and conservation plantings. Users should double check the intended use of the available cultivars before buying seed. Italian ryegrass is primarily used for quick cover in erosion control plantings.

The preference is full or partial sun, mesic to dry conditions, and soil containing loam or clay-loam. This grass remains green during hot summer weather, and prefers areas with reduced competition from other plants. Regular mowing is readily tolerated.