PERENNIAL RYE OR RAY GRASS, DARNEL. . 159 







L. perenne, L. Perennial Rye or Ray Grass, Darnel.- 



An erect or slightly decumbent perennial, 1-3 ft. hi., smooth, 

 culm slightly compressed. Leaves flat, shining; ligules short. 

 Spike 4-10 in., slender. Spikelets 8-16, obtuse or pointed, rarely 

 awned, %-$ in. long. Empty glumes strongly ribbed, linear- 

 lanceolate, floral glume linear-oblong. In the terminal spikelet 

 the second glume is usually empty. 



In many portions of moist, temperate Europe, this grass has 

 for over 200 years taken the rank among the farmers that Timothy 

 has in the United States. Eye grass is termed a perennial, 

 though it can hardly be relied on to last for more than two to 

 five years, and especially after one seeding, the plants mostly 

 soon perish. Self-sown seed, ripening on the ground, help supply 

 a continuous crop of plants. 



It sect's bountifully, frequently producing forty bushels or more 

 to the acre; these are of a large size and make strong plants on 

 a great variety of soils soon after sowing. The stems are one to 

 two or even three feet high, including the straight spike at the 

 top, giving it somewhat the aspect of quack grass. The leaves 

 are abundant, dark green, flat, glossy, succulent, and the whole 

 plant is nutritious. 



This grass, with its simple spike, is easily recognized, and 

 people can soon become acquainted with its peculiarities. Its 

 short life and vigorous habit make it a grass especially suited to 

 alternate husbandry, and not for permanent pasture or meadow, 

 although, through ignorance and long precedent, it has very 

 generally been recommended for the latter purpose. 



The plants start early, flower early, and repeatedly during the 

 growing season. Seeds are cheap, easily obtained, always in 

 market, and well advertised by the dealers. Above we see stated 



FIG. 74. Lottum perenne (Perennial Rye Grass). ", Empty glume prilled back from 

 the rest of the spikelet ; 7>, floral glume cut above the middle : c, d, cross sections of 

 floral glume and palea ; c, spikelet with a portion of rachis of L. perenne var. It.nli- 

 cum ; /, ovary and styles ; /, cross section of an anther with a few grains of pollen. 

 (Sudworth.) 



