ryegrass

ryegrass
/ruy"gras', -grahs'/, n.
any of several European grasses of the genus Lolium, as L. perenne (perennial ryegrass), grown for forage in the U.S.
[1740-50; RYE1 + GRASS]

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▪ plant
      any of about 10 species constituting the genus Lolium (family Poaceae), which includes forage and lawn grasses of temperate Eurasia and the noxious weed known as darnel (L. temulentum). Ryegrasses are about 0.3 to 1 m (1 to 3 feet) tall and have tough, dark green leaves. The flower spikelets grow in the angles of a zigzag rachis (flower stem). Both perennial ryegrass (L. perenne) and Italian ryegrass (L. multiflorum) germinate early and are important constituents of pasture and lawn-seed mixtures.

       darnel (poison ryegrass, or tare) often is infected with a poisonous fungus besides containing a poisonous narcotic in its seeds; both substances are dangerous to grazing animals. Modern winnowing techniques now separate the seed from rye seed, but in earlier times contaminated rye flour was a health hazard.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • ryegrass — noun Date: 1712 any of several grasses (genus Lolium); especially either of two grasses (L. perenne and L. multiflorum) that are used as lawn and pasture grasses and as cover crops …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • ryegrass — rye|grass [ˈraıgra:s US græs] n [U] a type of grass that is grown as food for animals …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • ryegrass — see rye grass …   English dictionary

  • ryegrass — noun a grass used for fodder and lawns. [Genus Lolium: several species, in particular L. perenne.] Origin C18: alt. of obs. ray grass, of unknown origin …   English new terms dictionary

  • ryegrass — noun (U) a type of grass that is grown as food for animals …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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