Lolium perenne
L. Perennial RyegrassTufted perennial, culms erect, to 60(–90) cm high. Leaf-blades flat, folded when young, to 20 cm long and 5 mm wide; ligules to 2.5 mm long; auricles inconspicuous or absent. Spike to 8–22(–30) cm long; rachis c. 1 mm diam. Spikelets (2–)5–14-flowered, 7–23 mm long; glume one-third as long as to subequal to the spikelet; lemma oblong-lanceolate, unawned. Flowers Sep.-Feb.
LoM, MuM, Wim, GleP, Brid, VVP, VRiv, MSB, RobP, MuF, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, GGr, DunT, NIS, EGL, EGU, WPro, HSF, HNF, OtR, Strz, MonT, VAlp. Widespread and common through much of the State, but rather rare in drier districts where largely replaced by L. rigidum.
A variable species with many selected strains in cultivation. Var. cristatum Pers. is sometimes recognised as distinct, differing from the typical variety in having a short (to c. 5 cm), broad spike, with the internodes of the rachis very short (1–2 mm), so that the spikelets are crowded and diverge from the axis nearly at right angles. It is apparently rare in Victoria, with collections known from only Lilydale, Nathalia, and near Kaniva. Lolium x hybridum Hausskn. is a hybrid between L. multiflorum and L. perenne, likely to occur where both species occur in proximity. Its lemmas may be awned or awnless.
Commonly cultivated as a lawn or fodder crop.
Spinning
