THE RYEGRASSES 1 



By H. A. Schoth, agronomist, and M. A. Hein, agronomist, Division of Forage 

 Crops and Diseases, Bureau of Plant Industry 



The common name, ryegrass, is applied to a group of plants com- 

 prising two species of the genus Lolium. One of these, Lolium multi- 

 fiorum Lam., is known as Italian ryegrass, and the other, L.perenne 

 L., as perennial ryegrass. Selections and hybrids of these two species 

 have received special varietal names, and seed is offered in the trade 

 under such designations. 



Italian Ryegrass 



It ah an ryegrass is a hardy, short-lived grass, usually an annual. 

 When seeded in the spring, late summer, or early fall it makes rapid 

 growth and soon covers the ground, furnishing grazing in a remarkably 

 short time. It is tender and very palatable to livestock and has 

 excellent carrying capacity. The plants grow from 2 to 4 feet in 

 height (fig. 1) and make excellent hay. It generally is distinguishable 



Figure 1. — Strains of Italian ryegrass in the nursery at Corvallis, Oreg. 



from perennial ryegrass by the awn and stem characters and by the 

 arrangement of the leaf in the bud. Awns are present on seed of 

 Italian ryegrass and usually absent on perennial ryegrass. The culm, 

 or stem, of Italian ryegrass is cylindrical whereas that of perennial 

 ryegrass is slightly flattened; and the leaves of Italian ryegrass are 

 rolled in the bud whereas those of perennial ryegrass are folded. 

 The plants of Italian ryegrass are yellowish green at the base while 

 those of perennial ryegrass are commonly reddish. 



1 Cooperative investigations of the Division of Forage Crops and Diseases, Bureau of Plant Industry, 

 XJ. S. Department of Agriculture, and the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station. 



Issued May 1940. 



2;i3s2i>°— 40 



