Perennial Ryegrass

Lolium perenne

Perennial Ryegrass is a cool-season turf grass that is known for its rapid germination and establishment, tolerance to traffic, and resistance to insects and stress. This competitive grass is also well-adapted to moderate temperatures, leading to Perennial Ryegrass being mixed with Kentucky Bluegrass for use in home lawns, schools and parks. This turf grass can be found in lawns throughout North America, though it is less common in Florida, Texas and other southern parts of the United States.

Identify

Perennial Ryegrass can be identified by its leaves that are folded in the bud and membranous ligules that are medium-tall and toothed near the tip. The collar is narrow, and the auricles are short, not clasping the stem. The sheaths are reddish below ground and smooth. This turf grass has leaf blades that can range anywhere from 1/8 of an inch to 1/4 of an inch wide. They are prominently veined above and very shiny and smooth beneath. The seed head forms a long, narrow spike with spikelets that are flattened and without awns.

Life Cycle

Care

Perennial Ryegrass has a good tolerance for cold temperatures but doesn't withstand hot, dry weather. Even so, in nothern regions, this turf grass is often lost to winterkill, sometimes making proper turf grass management programs more intensive.

Characteristic Chart