Lolium multiflorum Lam. var. diminutum Mutel

Scientific Name: Lolium multiflorum Lam. var. diminutum Mutel


Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Liliopsida / Commelinidae / Cyperales / Poaceae / Gramineae / Lolium L./ Lolium multiflorum Lam. var. diminutum Mutel

<i>Lolium multiflorum</i> Lam. var. diminutum Mutel
General Information
Usda SymbolLOMUD
GroupMonocot
Life CycleAnnualPerennial,
Growth HabitsGraminoid
Native LocationsLOMUD

Plant Guide

Use a soil moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture where Lolium multiflorum Lam. var. diminutum Mutel is planted.

Fact Sheet

Alternate Names

Lolium multiflorum Lam., annual ryegrass

Uses

Italian ryegrass is primarily used for quick cover in erosion control plantings.

Status

Please consult the PLANTS Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status (e.g. threatened or endangered species, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values).

Weediness

This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. Please consult with your local NRCS Field Office, Cooperative Extension Service office, or state natural resource or agriculture department regarding its status and use. Weed information is also available from the PLANTS Web site at plants.usda.gov.

Description

Italian ryegrass is quite similar to perennial ryegrass except it is an annual or biennial, depending on climate and/or length of growing season. It may grow a little taller than perennial ryegrass, from 2 to 3 feet tall. Plants have a bunchy form, with numerous long, narrow, stiff leaves near the base of the plant. The under surfaces of leaves are bright, glossy, and smooth. Inflorescence stems are nearly naked. The seeds of this sub-species have awns (bristles).

Adaptation

These grasses have a wide range of adaptability to soils, but thrive on dark rich soils in regions having mild climates. They do not withstand hot, dry weather or severe winters. They will stand fairly wet soils with reasonably good surface drainage. Italian ryegrass is distributed throughout the entire United States. For a current distribution map, please consult the Plant Profile page for this species on the PLANTS Website.

Establishment

A fine, firm seedbed gives the best results. Mulched seedings on graded soil germinate readily. Spring seedings of ryegrass may occur in March, April, or May. Seeding rates will vary with local conditions and purpose of plantings. Generally, a seeding rate of 20 to 25 pounds per acre is used if ryegrass is seeded alone. Lesser amounts per acre are used in mixtures, depending upon uses and companion species. Do not exceed 4 pounds per acre in mixes with alfalfa.

Management

This section is under development, , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Lolium multiflorum Lam. var. diminutum Mutel.

Pests and Potential Problems

This section is under development.

http://plants.usda.gov/java/largeImage?imageID=lomu_001_avd.tif Cultivars, Improved, and Selected Materials (and area of origin) Ryegrasses cross-pollinate freely so many types have developed. It is difficult to maintain their genetic purity; consequently, Italian ryegrass is marketed as common ryegrass or domestic ryegrass, and it is often a mixture of annual and perennial species. There is no certification of this seed since pure varieties of Italian ryegrass are almost non-existent. Seed of cultivars and common annual ryegrass is readily available from local commercial suppliers.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Fertility RequirementMedium
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Cold Stratification RequiredNo
Drought ToleranceLow
Drought ToleranceLow
Drought ToleranceLow
Drought ToleranceLow
Drought ToleranceLow
Fertility RequirementMedium
Fertility RequirementMedium
CaCO3 ToleranceMedium
Fertility RequirementMedium
Fertility RequirementMedium
Fire ToleranceLow
Fire ToleranceLow
Fire ToleranceLow
Fire ToleranceLow
Fire ToleranceLow
Frost Free Days, Minimum150
Frost Free Days, Minimum200
Frost Free Days, Minimum200
Frost Free Days, Minimum215
Frost Free Days, Minimum225
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Temperature, Minimum (°F)7
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceLow
Anaerobic ToleranceLow
Anaerobic ToleranceLow
Anaerobic ToleranceLow
Anaerobic ToleranceLow
CaCO3 ToleranceMedium
CaCO3 ToleranceMedium
CaCO3 ToleranceMedium
CaCO3 ToleranceMedium
Salinity ToleranceHigh
Precipitation, Minimum18
Precipitation, Minimum18
Precipitation, Minimum18
Precipitation, Minimum18
Precipitation, Minimum18
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)8
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)8
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)8
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)8
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)8
Salinity ToleranceHigh
Salinity ToleranceHigh
Hedge ToleranceNone
Salinity ToleranceHigh
Salinity ToleranceHigh
Shade ToleranceIntermediate
Shade ToleranceIntermediate
Shade ToleranceIntermediate
Shade ToleranceIntermediate
Shade ToleranceIntermediate
Temperature, Minimum (°F)-8
Temperature, Minimum (°F)12
Temperature, Minimum (°F)17
Temperature, Minimum (°F)7
Precipitation, Maximum65
Hedge ToleranceNone
Hedge ToleranceNone
Hedge ToleranceNone
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseMedium
Moisture UseMedium
Moisture UseMedium
Moisture UseMedium
Moisture UseMedium
pH, Maximum7.5
pH, Maximum7.9
pH, Maximum7.9
pH, Maximum7.9
Precipitation, Maximum65
Precipitation, Maximum65
Precipitation, Maximum65
Precipitation, Maximum65
pH, Minimum5.0
pH, Minimum5.0
pH, Minimum5.0
pH, Minimum5.0
pH, Minimum5.0
pH, Maximum7.9


Morphology/Physiology

Resprout AbilityNo
Resprout AbilityNo
Resprout AbilityNo
Resprout AbilityNo
Shape and OrientationErect
Shape and OrientationErect
Shape and OrientationErect
Shape and OrientationErect
Shape and OrientationErect
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
ToxicityNone
Active Growth PeriodFall, Winter and Spring
Flower ConspicuousNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ColorYellow
Flower ConspicuousNo
Flower ConspicuousNo
Flower ConspicuousNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Flower ConspicuousNo
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage Porosity SummerModerate
Foliage Porosity SummerPorous
Foliage Porosity SummerPorous
Foliage Porosity SummerPorous
Foliage Porosity SummerPorous
Foliage Porosity WinterModerate
Foliage Porosity WinterModerate
BloatNone
Resprout AbilityNo
Active Growth PeriodFall, Winter and Spring
Active Growth PeriodFall, Winter and Spring
Active Growth PeriodFall, Winter and Spring
Active Growth PeriodSpring and Summer
After Harvest Regrowth RateModerate
After Harvest Regrowth RateRapid
After Harvest Regrowth RateRapid
After Harvest Regrowth RateRapid
After Harvest Regrowth RateRapid
BloatNone
BloatNone
BloatNone
BloatNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
C:N RatioLow
C:N RatioLow
C:N RatioLow
C:N RatioLow
C:N RatioLow
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
Fall ConspicuousNo
LifespanShort
Height, Mature (feet)2.5
Height, Mature (feet)2.5
Height, Mature (feet)2.6
Height, Mature (feet)3.0
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Known AllelopathNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Leaf RetentionNo
Foliage Porosity WinterModerate
LifespanShort
LifespanShort
LifespanShort
LifespanShort
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
Low Growing GrassNo
Nitrogen FixationNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
Nitrogen FixationNone
Growth RateRapid
Height, Mature (feet)2.2
Foliage Porosity WinterModerate
Foliage Porosity WinterPorous
Foliage TextureFine
Foliage TextureFine
Foliage TextureFine
Foliage TextureFine
Foliage TextureFine
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ColorBrown
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Growth RateRapid
Growth RateRapid
Growth RateRapid
Growth RateRapid
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Growth FormBunch
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousNo
Growth FormBunch


Reproduction

Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by TubersNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Seedling VigorHigh
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Vegetative Spread RateNone
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Small GrainNo
Seedling VigorHigh
Seedling VigorHigh
Seed per Pound217000
Seedling VigorHigh
Seedling VigorHigh
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed Spread RateModerate
Seed per Pound217000
Seed per Pound217000
Seed per Pound217000
Seed per Pound217000
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed Period EndSpring
Fruit/Seed Period EndSpring
Fruit/Seed Period EndSpring
Fruit/Seed Period EndSpring
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSpring
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Propagated by CormNo
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Commercial AvailabilityRoutinely Available
Bloom PeriodEarly Spring
Bloom PeriodEarly Spring
Bloom PeriodEarly Spring
Bloom PeriodEarly Spring
Bloom PeriodEarly Spring
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed Period EndSpring
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by CormNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by ContainerNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by BulbNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Fruit/Seed PersistenceNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by Bare RootNo
Propagated by BulbNo


Suitability/Use

Post ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable Graze AnimalMedium
Palatable Graze AnimalHigh
Palatable Graze AnimalHigh
Palatable Graze AnimalHigh
Palatable Graze AnimalHigh
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Post ProductNo
Protein PotentialHigh
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialMedium
Protein PotentialMedium
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Veneer ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductYes
Fodder ProductYes
Fodder ProductYes
Fodder ProductYes
Fodder ProductYes
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Lumber ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Palatable Browse AnimalLow

<i>Lolium multiflorum</i> Lam. var. diminutum Mutel

<i>Lolium multiflorum</i> Lam. var. diminutum Mutel

<i>Lolium multiflorum</i> Lam. var. diminutum Mutel

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