Introductory
SPECIES: Lolium multiflorum | Italian Ryegrass 



ABBREVIATION : 
LOLMUL

SYNONYMS : 
   Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum (Lam.) Husnot [70]
   Lolium perenne var. aristatum Willd. [20,21]


SCS PLANT CODE : 
   LOPEM2


COMMON NAMES : 
   Italian ryegrass
   annual ryegrass
   darnel


TAXONOMY : 
The currently accepted scientific name for Italian ryegrass is Lolium
multiflorum Lam. (Poaceae) [31,33,59].

Some authors consider Italian ryegrass to be a variety or subspecies of
perennial ryegrass (L. perenne) [20,21,61,64].  However, Terrell [59],
who wrote the monograph for the Lolium genus in 1968, provisionally
considered them separate species and listed the primary distinguishing
characteristics.  Recent genetic work indicates that they are distinct
species, both possibly originating from a common ancestor, Wimmera
ryegrass (L. rigidum) [8,41].  The divergence of Italian ryegrass from
Wimmera ryegrass is hypothesized to have occurred fairly recently,
perhaps 6,000 years ago [8].  Natural hybrids of Italian ryegrass and
perennial ryegrass are interfertile [8,41].  Natural and artificial
interspecific and intergeneric crosses are discussed [58].


LIFE FORM : 
Graminoid

FEDERAL LEGAL STATUS : 
No special status

OTHER STATUS : 
NO-ENTRY


COMPILED BY AND DATE : 
Jennifer H. Carey, September 1995


LAST REVISED BY AND DATE : 
NO-ENTRY


AUTHORSHIP AND CITATION : 
Carey, Jennifer H. 1995. Lolium multiflorum. In: Remainder of Citation

Related categories for Species: Lolium multiflorum | Italian Ryegrass