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RYEGRASS, ANNUAL
 Ryegrass, Annual (Italian Ryegrass)
[Lolium multiflorum Lam.]
Annual
ryegrass, also referred to as Italian ryegrass, is a bunch-type grass that can
be used as a nurse crop for quick cover or for winter overseeding of
bermudagrass on low maintenance athletic fields or golf courses. It does not
possess the quality of perennial ryegrass and is not recommended for sites
where high quality turf is desired. However, it is very inexpensive and can be
used on low profile fields such as school, park or recreation sites where
winter color is desirable. Its seedhead can be confused with that of
quackgrass. Annual ryegrass does not have rhizomes, whereas quackgrass does.
Annual ryegrass can be easily confused with tall fescue. However, tall fescue
has rough leaf blade margins on the lower 1/3 - 1/2 of the leaf whereas annual
ryegrass has smooth ones. Tall fescue has non-clasping auricles, whereas annual
ryegrass has clasping auricles. The backside of the tall fescue leaf blade is
less glossy than that of annual ryegrass.
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Characteristic
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Description
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Seedhead
/ Flower
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a
spike, with spikelets along the main stem
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Vernation
Type
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leaves
rolled in the bud
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Ligule
Type
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membranous;
blunt, 0.04 - 0.08 inches (1 - 2 mm) long
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Growth
Season / Life Cycle
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cool
season turf or winter annual weed
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Auricle
Type
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pointed
or blunt or claw-like, clasping
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Leaf
Blade Tip Shape
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sharp-pointed;
bright green, upper surface dull, deeply ridged, lower surface smooth, glossy
and slightly creased, edges smooth
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Leaf
Blade Width
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0.1 -
0.28 inches (3 - 7 mm) wide
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Stolon
Presence
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absent
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Rhizome
Presence
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absent
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Collar
Type
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continuous;
indistinct, not hairy
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Sheath
Margin
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split
with overlapping margins
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Sheath
Type
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round;
pinkish at base
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annual ryegrass,
clasping auricles
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annual ryegrass
leaf edge
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Note: Still not
sure this is the right turfgrass? The Turf & Weed Identification
Decision Aid may help. Check the TurfFiles glossary for definitions
of unfamiliar terms.
Need help in selecting the best
turfgrass for your particular situation? The Turf/Cultivar Selection
Decision Aid will help you sort through the options which are available.
For more information on turfgrass/cultivar selection, establishing a new lawn,
caring for a new lawn, or renovating a lawn, see AG-69,
Carolina Lawns.
© North Carolina State University. This information sheet was prepared
by Arthur H. Bruneau, Bridget R. Lassiter, Gail G. Wilkerson, Emily J.
Erickson, Casey Reynolds, Jenifer J. Reynolds, and Gregory S. Buol. Department
of Crop Science, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, North Carolina
State University. Prepared April 29, 2008. Available
on-line at www.turffiles.ncsu.edu. This publication was made possible through a
grant provided by the Center for Turfgrass Environmental Research &
Education (CENTERE) whose purpose is to support worthwhile projects that will
benefit both the private sector and the public, and protect the environment.
KEYWORDS FOUND IN THIS ARTICLE:
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