It is sometimes considered a subspecies of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). It differs from L. perenne in its spikelet, which has a long bristle at the top, and its stem, which is round rather than folded.
It can be mistaken for couch (Elymus repens), which has spikelets along the broad side of the stem rather than the edge.[7]
Other common names in English include Australian ryegrass, short rotation ryegrass, and Westerwolds ryegrass. It is also one of several species called darnel.
Uses
Lolium multiflorum is widely used to provide large forage yields in short term leys where persistence of the crop is not a priority.
In the United States, Lolium multiflorum is sometimes used as a winter cover crop to prevent erosion, build soil structure and suppress weeds. As a palatable forage crop, it can be grazed by livestock and provide food in years when alfalfa suffers from winter kill.[8]
^ abQuattrocchi, Umberto (2006). CRC World Dictionary of Grasses: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology - 3 Volume Set. CRC. p. 2408. ISBN978-0-8493-1303-5.
^Moseley, G.; E. L. Jones; V. Ramanathan (September 1988). "The nutritional evaluation of Italian ryegrass cultivars fed as silage to sheep and cattle". Grass and Forage Science. 43 (3): 291–295. Bibcode:1988GForS..43..291M. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2494.1988.tb02154.x.