Lolium perenne L.

Perennial Rye Grass

© DETenaglia

Family - Poaceae/Poeae

Stems - No info. yet.

	Node.
© DETenaglia

Leaves - No info. yet.

	Auricle.
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	Ligule.
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Inflorescence - No info. yet.

Flowers - No info. yet.

	Spikelets close-up.
© DETenaglia

Flowering - May - August.

Habitat - Pastures, disturbed sites, roadsides, railroads. Widely cultivated.

Origin - Native to Europe.

Other info. - This species can be found scattered throughout Missouri. The plant is cultivated nearly worldwide for forage grass and as a ground cover in disturbed areas. It is commonly known as "Rye Grass." This is an easy species to identify because of the feather-like appearance of its inflorescence. The leaves of young plants are bright green and shine in sunlight.
L. perenne is a variable species in respect to its life cycle. Perennial and annual varieties exist. Annual plants are variety aristatum Willd.
Perennial plants are variety perenne.

Photographs taken in Van Buren, MO., 5-26-03.