Perennial rye-grass
Lolium perenne
Importance
An increasing problem in arable situations.
Leaf blade
Dark green and hairless. Leaf blades folded in shoot.
Description
Large, dark green tufted perennial 30 - 60 cm. Flower head is flattened, with the spikelets arranged alternatively on opposite sides of the stem. Spikelets are awnless, unlike Italian rye-grass. Similar to common couch but has no rhizomes and the underside of the leaves are glossy.
The flower head may also be confused with couch grass. However, the spikelets of perennial rye-grass lie at 90° unlike couch where spikelets lie flat against the stem.
Ligule
Short: up to 2 mm. Blunt.
Auricles
Small if present.
