Keir Morse 2008, http://calphotos.berkeley.edu

Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)

Synonym(s): English rye grass, Perennial Rye Grass

Duration: Annual or Perennial

Habit: Grass

Listed by:
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US: 1
Federal Noxious Weed: 0
TDA Noxious Weed: 0
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species: 0

Description: Perennial ryegrass can grow 1 to 2 feet tall and has medium longevity. There are numerous long, narrow, stiff leaves near the base of the plant. The under surfaces of leaves are bright, glossy, and smooth. Perennial ryegrass leaves are usually folded in the bud (but also can be rolled). The flowerhead is 3 to 12 inches (8–30 cm) long. The flower color is yellow. Seedheads are spikes with spikelets growing edgewise to the seedhead stem. The seeds do not have awns.

History: Lolium perenne is the predominant forage grass in Europe. It was brought to the United States for the same purpose, forage and lawns. This species is also used for soil stabilization. The tetraploid cultivars are typically used for forage, and the diploid cultivars are used for lawns and conservation plantings. Similarly, Italian ryegrass is used for erosion control plantings.

Biology & Spread: Spring seedings of ryegrass can occur in March, April, or May. Perennial ryegrass may also seed mid- August to early September. Seeding rates will vary with local conditions.

Ecological Threat: Lolium perenne has a moderate potential impact on native ecosystems (calflora.org).

US Habitat: Lolium perenne grows on roadsides, open fields, crop fields, pastures, orchards, and vineyards. These grasses can thrive in many types of soils, but thrive best on dark rich soils in regions with mild climates. They do not withstand hot, dry weather or extreme cold temperatures. They will stand fairly wet soils that has reasonably good surface drainage. Equally likely to occur in wetlands or non wetlands.

Distribution

US Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: Europe

US States: AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY

Resembles/Alternatives: Italian ryegrass is very similar to perennial ryegrass. It can be an annual or biennial, depending on climate and/or length of growing season. Italian ryegrass can grow from 2 to 3 feet tall. The seeds of this sub-species have awns.

Management:

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Listing Source

Texas Department ofAgriculture Noxious Plant List
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prohibited Exotic Species
Invaders Program
Federal Noxious Weed
Union of Concerned Scientists
United States Forest Service Southern Research Station

Text References

http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=lope http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=4946 http://www.missouriplants.com/Grasses/Lolium_perenne_page.html http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/WEEDS/ryegrasses.html

Data Source

USDA-NRCS. (2002). Plant Fact Sheet: Lolium perenne L. Retrieved from http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=lope

Last Updated: 2013-12-2 by Kathryn D'Amico