Ryegrass

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{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen | name = Ryegrass | image = Lolium.perenne1web.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) | regnum = Plantae | divisio = Magnoliophyta | classis = Liliopsida | ordo = Poales | familia = Poaceae | genus = Lolium | genus_authority = L. | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = See text. }}

Ryegrass (Lolium) is a genus of nine species of tufted grasses, family Poaceae. Also called tares, these plants are native to Europe, Asia and northern Africa, but are widely cultivated and naturalised elsewhere. Ryegrasses are naturally diploid, with 2n = 14, and are closely related to the fescues Festuca.

Ryegrasses contain some species which are important grasses for both lawns and as pasture and hay for livestock, being a highly nutritious stock feed. They are also used in soil erosion control programs. It is the principal grazing grass in New Zealand where some 10 million kilograms of certified seed are produced every year. There is an enormous range of cultivars.

Some species, particularly L. temulentum, are weeds which can have a severe impact on the production of wheat and other crops. Ryegrass pollen is also one of the major causes of hay fever.

Ryegrass should not be confused with Rye, which is a grain crop.

Species

The following are (possibly) accepted as distinct species:

• Lolium canariense (reference?) - Canary Islands Ryegrass
• Lolium edwardii (reference?)
• Lolium multiflorum Lam.' - Italian Ryegrass
• Lolium parabolicae
• Lolium perenne L.' - Perennial Ryegrass
• Lolium persicum - Persian Ryegrass or Persian Darnel
• Lolium rigidum Gaudin' - Stiff Darnel, Wimmera Ryegrass
• Lolium siculum
• Lolium temulentum L.' - Darnel, Poison Darnel

Synonyms

Image:Illustration Lolium temulentum0.jpg

• Lolium ambiguum = Lolium multiflorum
• Lolium annuum = Lolium temulentum
• Lolium arundinaceum = Festuca arundinacea
• Lolium berteronianum = Lolium temulentum
• Lolium brasilianum = Lolium perenne
• Lolium canadense = Lolium perenne
• Lolium crassiculme = Lolium rigidum
• Lolium cuneatum = Lolium temulentum
• Lolium dorei = Lolium persicum
• Lolium giganteum = Festuca gigantea
• Lolium gracile = Lolium temulentum
• Lolium lepturoides = Lolium rigidum subsp. lepturoides
• Lolium marschallii = Lolium perenne
• Lolium pratense = Festuca pratensis
• Lolium remotum = Lolium temulentum subsp. remotum
• Lolium romanum = Lolium multiflorum
• Lolium scabrum = Lolium multiflorum
• Lolium subulatum = Lolium rigidum subsp. lepturoides
• Lolium teres = Lolium rigidum subsp. lepturoides
• Lolium trabutii = Lolium rigidum

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