Perennial Ryegrass, Italian ryegrass, Darnel, Lyme Grass, Terrell Grass, English Ryegrass, Strand Wh
Lolium perenne
Family: Poaceae or Gramineae
What it is like
Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late fall, Mid fall. Form: Prostrate.
Lolium perenne is an evergreen Perennial growing to 1 m (3ft 3in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in leaf all year. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid, very alkaline and saline soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Meadows and weedy places.
Europe to E. Asia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Seed - cooked. Used as a cereal. The seed has a nutritional value similar to oats (Avena sativa) and contain gluten. An emergency food, it is only used when all else fails. The seed is rather small and fiddly to use. Yields of 1 tonne per hectare have been achieved, though around 500kg is a more common yield.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 1
The plant has occasionally been used in the treatment of cancer, diarrhoea, haemorrhages and malaria.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.
Malaria: Treats malaria - an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites spread to people through the bites of mosquitos.
Other
Rating:
The plant has the potential to be used as a source of biomass. Yields of up to 25 tonnes per hectare have been reported from Europe. In the absence of definitive yield information an average yield of 17.5 tonnes of dry matter per hectare per year and an energy content of 17.5 GJ per metric tonne are assumed.
Biomass: Provides a large quantity of plant material that can be converted into fuel etc.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
How it is grown
Landscape Uses:Erosion control, Ground cover. Adapted to mild, humid temperate climates, this species grows best on rather heavy, rich, moist soils, but also does well on well-manured lighter soils with sufficient moisture. It dislikes shade and requires a well-drained soil. It prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, though it can tolerate a range from 4.5 - 8.2. Plants are moderately drought resistant, they tolerate atmspheric pollution and salt in the soil, and can also succeed when planted on minespoil. They prefer an annual precipitation in the range of 21 - 176cm. Many cultivars have been developed by selection of individual plants, clones and families for specific purposes, such as for lawns, pastures and hay. A fast growing plant, it combines particularly well with white clover (Trifolium repens). Special Features: Not North American native, Naturalizing.
Propagating it: Seed - sow in situ in the spring. It is also possible to sow the seed in situ in the autumn in most parts of Britain. This will give larger plants and heavier yields.
Best place to grow: Meadow;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 5-7
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist