Italian rye-grass
Lolium multiflorum
Importance
An increasing problem in arable situations. Many of the rye-grasses encountered in arable weed situations may be commercial hybrids with associated high vigour. Herbicide resistance is growing.
Leaf blade
Dark green, hairless. Leaf blade rolled in bud.
Description
Large, stout, fast growing and densely tufted annual or biennial 30-90 cm. Flower head is flattened with the spikelets arranged alternatively on opposite sides of the stem. Spikelets are awned, unlike perennial rye-grass.
Ligule
Short: 1-2 mm. Blunt.
Auricles
Small if present.
Rye-grass young plant
Italian rye-grass ligule. Photo © HGCA.
Italian rye-grass close-up of spikelets. Note the presence of awns.
Italian rye-grass young plant. © Blackthorn arable.
Italian rye-grass ligule. © Blackthorn arable.
