Turffiles:Turfgrasses:Ryegrass, Perennial

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Ryegrass, Perennial

[Lolium perenne L.]

Perennial ryegrass is a bunch-type grass that is used for winter overseeding on sites where high quality and winter color are needed. The texture, color, and density of perennial ryegrass are very similar to those of Kentucky bluegrass. Perennial ryegrass is often utilized for winter overseeding on golf course fairways and teeboxes, athletic fields, and high profile home lawns. Perennial ryegrass is often confused with tall fescue and/or Kentucky bluegrass. However, Kentucky bluegrass has a boat-shaped leaf tip and distinctive light-colored lines on both sides of the midrib. Tall fescue has rough leaf blade margins whereas perennial ryegrass has smooth ones. Also, tall fescue has rolled vernation in the leaf bud and perennial ryegrass has folded vernation.

Characteristic	Description
Seedhead / Flower	a spike, with flattened spikelets along each stem
Vernation Type	leaves folded in the bud
Ligule Type	membranous; collar-like to blunt, may be toothed near top, 0.02 - 0.06 inches (0.5 - 1.5 mm) long
Growth Season / Life Cycle	cool season turf or perennial weed
Auricle Type	rudimentary
Leaf Blade Tip Shape	sharp-pointed; bright green, sharply creased, deeply ridged upper surface, lower surface smooth and glossy, edges slightly rough
Leaf Blade Width	0.08 - 0.2 inches (2 - 5 mm) wide
Stolon Presence	absent
Rhizome Presence	absent
Collar Type	divided by midrib, not hairy, distinct
Sheath Margin
Sheath Type	sheath is usually flattened, reddish at base


perennial ryegrass	perennial ryegrass ligule

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.

Diseases Which May Affect This Turfgrass

brown blight
brown patch
damping off
dollar spot
fairy ring
gray leaf spot
gray snow mold
powdery mildew
Pythium blight
Pythium root rot
red thread
slime mold

© 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.

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