Citation: Gaudin, Agrost. Heh,. 1:334 (1811 ).

Synonymy: L. subulatum sensu J. Black, Fl. S. Aust. 135 (1943), non Vis. , Lolium multiflorum, Lolium perenne

Common name: Annual (or Wimmera) ryegrass, rigid ryegrass.

Description:
Annual to 120 cm; stems reddish even at maturity; leaf blades to 20 cm x 8 mm, acute, glabrous beneath, glabrous or (occasionally) scabridulous above, generally shiny in appearance.

Spike 3-30 cm; rhachis flexuose, slender to somewhat rigid, to 1.8 mm diam.; spikelets 4-18 x 2-5 mm, with 3-11 fertile and 0-2 rudimentary florets; glumes lanceolate or narrowly oblong, about the same length as the spikelet; lemma unawned or occasionally with an awn to 3 mm.

Published illustration: Burbidge (1966) Australian grasses 1 :pl. 45.

Distribution:  Found in disturbed soils from coastal islands to the interior. Less common at higher altitudes. S.Aust.: LE, NU, GT, FR, EA, EP, NL, MU, YP, SL, KI, SE.   All States.   Native to the Mediterranean region. Conservation status: naturalised Flowering time: Aug. — Dec.

SA Distribution Map based on current data relating to specimens held in the State Herbarium of South Australia

Biology: A very variable species with distinct ecotypes. In particular there are maritime forms that closely resemble L. loliaceum and can only be distinguished by careful consideration of the diagnostic criteria.

Uses: The most important annual pasture grass but the most serious grass weed of many crops, particularly cereals. Wimmera rye-grass is a variable cultivar that is widely grown for its high forage productivity.

Author: Not yet available