Lolium multiflorum

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Lolium multiflorum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Lolium
Species: L. multiflorum
Binomial name
Lolium multiflorum
Lam.

Lolium multiflorum (Italian ryegrass, annual ryegrass) is a ryegrass native to temperate Europe, though its precise native range is unknown.[1]

It is a herbaceous annual, biennial, or perennial grass that is grown for silage, and as a cover crop.[2][3] It is also grown as an ornamental grass. It readily naturalizes in temperate climates, and can become a noxious weed in agricultural areas and an invasive species in native habitats.[1]

It is a host plant to wheat yellow leaf virus in its native Europe.[4]

It is sometimes considered a subspecies of perennial ryegrass (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.[5]

Other common names in English include Australian ryegrass, short rotation ryegrass, and Westerwolds ryegrass. It is also one of several species called darnel.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Quattrocchi, Umberto (2006). CRC World Dictionary of Grasses: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology - 3 Volume Set. CRC. p. 2408. ISBN 978-0-8493-1303-5. 
  2. Cosgrove, Dennis; Michael Casler, and Dan Undersander (1999-12-02). "Rygrass types for pasture and hay". Agronomy Advice. Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences University of Wisconsin Extension and Cooperative Education. Retrieved 2008-03-31. 
  3. Moseley, G.; E. L. Jones, and V. Ramanathan (September 1988). "The nutritional evaluation of Italian ryegrass cultivars fed as silage to sheep and cattle". Grass and Forage Science (United Kingdom: Blackwell Synergy) 43 (3): 291–295. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2494.1988.tb02154.x. Retrieved 2008-03-31. 
  4. Lapierre, H.; P. A. Signoret, editors (2004). Viruses and Virus diseases of Poaceace (Gramineae). France: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique. p. 605. ISBN 978-2-7380-1088-9. 
  5. Readers Digest Nature Lovers Library Field Guide To Wild Flowers Of Britain, 1998, page 416
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