Lolium perenne - Perennial Ryegrass

Family:	Gramineae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	Europe to E. Asia.

Lolium perenne (Perennial Ryegrass) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m . It has a fast growth rate. It has a hardness rating of 5and is vunerable to frost.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Wind

Soil Information

Perennial Ryegrass will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Perennial Ryegrass prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Perennial Ryegrass should not be planted in shady areas.

Meadows and weedy places[74].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Suits a meadow

Cultivation Details

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[269]. It dislikes shade and requires a well-drained soil[200]. It prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7, though it can tolerate a range from 4.5 - 8.2[269]. Plants are moderately drought resistant, they tolerate atmspheric pollution and salt in the soil, and can also succeed when planted on minespoil[269]. They prefer an annual precipitation in the range of 21 - 176cm[269]. Many cultivars have been developed by selection of individual plants, clones and families for specific purposes, such as for lawns, pastures and hay[269]. A fast growing plant, it combines particularly well with white clover (Trifolium repens)[269].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Seed - cooked. Used as a cereal[177]. The seed has a nutritional value similar to oats (Avena sativa) and contain gluten[269]. An emergency food, it is only used when all else fails[177]. The seed is rather small and fiddly to use[K]. Yields of 1 tonne per hectare have been achieved, though around 500kg is a more common yield[269].

• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The plant has occasionally been used in the treatment of cancer, diarrhoea, haemorrhages and malaria[269].

• 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.

Propagation

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.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

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[269].

• Biomass - Provides a large quantity of plant material that can be converted into fuel etc.

Cultivars

'Linn' - Developed in Oregon, it is one of the best Oregon perennial types, with good seed yield[269].
'Norlea' - Developed in Ontario, it has good winter hardiness and considerably outyields other cultivars in forage and seed production. Useful as turf grass, it is susceptible to leaf-rust in some areas[269].

References

Flora of the USSR.
Komarov. V. L.
Author: Komarov. V. L.
Rating:
Publisher : An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers.
Date of Publication : 1968

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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