RYEGRASS

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'Ryegrass' ('''Lolium''') is a genus of nine species of tufted grasses, family Poaceae. Also called 'tares', these plants are native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa, but are widely cultivated and naturalised elsewhere. Ryegrasses are naturally diploid, with 2n = 14, and are closely related to the fescues ''Festuca''.
Ryegrass should not be confused with Rye, which is a grain crop.

Contents

Species

Cultivation and uses

Synonyms

References

Species

The following are accepted as distinct species:

★ ''Lolium canariense'' Steud. - Canary Islands Ryegrass

★ ''Lolium edwardii'' H.Scholz, Stierst. & Gaisberg

★ ''Lolium multiflorum'' Lam. - Italian Ryegrass

★ ''Lolium perenne'' L. - Perennial Ryegrass

★ ''Lolium persicum'' - Persian Ryegrass or Persian Darnel

★ ''Lolium remotum'' Schrank

★ ''Lolium rigidum'' Gaudin - Stiff Darnel, Wimmera Ryegrass

★ ''Lolium temulentum'' L. - Darnel, Poison Darnel

Cultivation and uses

Ryegrasses contain some species which are important grasses for both lawns, notably at The Championships, Wimbledon, and as pasture and hay for livestock, being a highly nutritious stock feed. They are also used in soil erosion control programs. It is the principal grazing grass in New Zealand where some 10 million kilograms of certified seed are produced every year. There is an enormous range of cultivars. The primary species found worldwide and utilized for both lawns and as a forage crop is perennial ryegrass (''Lolium perenne''). Like many cool-season grasses, it is often infected by a clandestine, fungal endophyte which lives symbiotically within its leaves.
Some species, particularly ''L. temulentum'', are weeds which can have a severe impact on the production of wheat and other crops. Ryegrass pollen is also one of the major causes of hay fever.

Synonyms

★ ''L. ambiguum'' = ''Lolium multiflorum''

★ ''L. annuum'' = ''Lolium temulentum''

★ ''L. arundinaceum'' = ''Festuca arundinacea''

★ ''L. berteronianum'' = ''Lolium temulentum''

★ ''L. brasilianum'' = ''Lolium perenne''

★ ''L. canadense'' = ''Lolium perenne''

★ ''L. crassiculme'' = ''Lolium rigidum''

★ ''L. cuneatum'' = ''Lolium temulentum''

★ ''L. dorei'' = ''Lolium persicum''

★ ''L. giganteum'' = ''Festuca gigantea''

★ ''L. gracile'' = ''Lolium temulentum''

★ ''L. lepturoides'' = ''Lolium rigidum'' subsp. ''lepturoides''

★ ''L. marschallii'' = ''Lolium perenne''

★ ''L. parabolicae'' = ''Lolium rigidum''

★ ''L. pratense'' = ''Festuca pratensis''

★ ''L. remotum'' = ''Lolium temulentum'' subsp. ''remotum''

★ ''L. romanum'' = ''Lolium multiflorum''

★ ''L. scabrum'' = ''Lolium multiflorum''

★ ''L. siculum'' = ''Lolium multiflorum''

★ ''L. subulatum'' = ''Lolium rigidum'' subsp. ''lepturoides''

★ ''L. teres'' = ''Lolium rigidum'' subsp. ''lepturoides''

★ ''L. trabutii'' = ''Lolium rigidum''

References

★ Flora Europaea: ''Lolium''