''Lolium multiflorum'' (Italian rye-grass,
annual ryegrass) is a
ryegrass
''Lolium'' is a genus of tufted grasses in the bluegrass subfamily (Pooideae). It is often called ryegrass, but this term is sometimes used to refer to grasses in other genera.
They are characterized by bunch-like growth habits. ''Lolium'' i ...
native to
temperate
In geography, the temperate climates of Earth occur in the middle latitudes (23.5° to 66.5° N/S of Equator), which span between the tropics and the polar regions of Earth. These zones generally have wider temperature ranges throughout ...
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located entirel ...
, though its precise native range is unknown.
It is a
herbaceous annual
Annual may refer to:
*Annual publication, periodical publications appearing regularly once per year
** Yearbook
** Literary annual
*Annual plant
*Annual report
*Annual giving
*Annual, Morocco, a settlement in northeastern Morocco
*Annuals (band), ...
,
biennial
Biennial means (an event) lasting for two years or occurring every two years. The related term biennium is used in reference to a period of two years.
In particular, it can refer to:
* Biennial plant, a plant which blooms in its second year and th ...
, or
perennial
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives more than two years. The term ('' per-'' + '' -ennial'', "through the years") is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter-lived annuals and biennials. The term is also wid ...
grass that is grown for
silage
Silage () is a type of fodder made from green foliage crops which have been preserved by fermentation to the point of acidification. It can be fed to cattle, sheep and other such ruminants (cud-chewing animals). The fermentation and storage ...
, and as a
cover crop. It is also grown as an
ornamental grass
Ornamental grasses are grasses grown as ornamental plants. Ornamental grasses are popular in many colder hardiness zones for their resilience to cold temperatures and aesthetic value throughout fall and winter seasons.
Classifications
Along ...
. It readily
naturalizes in temperate climates, and can become a
noxious weed in arable areas and an
invasive species in native
habitat
In ecology, the term habitat summarises the array of resources, physical and biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species habitat can be seen as the physical ...
s.
It is a host plant to
wheat yellow leaf virus in its native Europe.
It is sometimes considered a subspecies of
perennial ryegrass
''Lolium perenne'', common name perennial ryegrass, English ryegrass, winter ryegrass, or ray grass, is a grass from the family Poaceae. It is native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa, but is widely cultivated and naturalised around the world.
...
(''Lolium perenne''). It differs from ''L. perenne'' in its spikelet, which has a long bristle at the top, and its stem, which is round rather than folded.
It can be mistaken for
couch (''Elymus repens''), which has spikelets along the broad side of the stem rather than the edge.
Other common names in English include Australian ryegrass, short rotation ryegrass, and Westerwolds ryegrass. It is also one of several species called darnel.
Uses
''Lolium multiflorum'' is widely used to provide large forage yields in short term leys where persistence of the crop is not a priority.
In the United States, ''Lolium multiflorum'' is sometimes used as a winter cover crop to prevent erosion, build soil structure and suppress weeds. As a palatable forage crop, it can be grazed by livestock and provide food in years when
alfalfa suffers from winter kill.
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
Pooideae
Flora of Europe
Flora of Italy
Flora of Lebanon
Garden plants of Europe
Lawn grasses
Plants described in 1779