Dactylis glomerata

L.
Common names: Orchardgrass Dactyle pelotonnfi
Synonyms: Dactylis glomerata var. vivipara Dactylis glomerata var. deionsa Dactylis glomerata var. ciliata
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 24. Treatment on page 482.

Culms to 2.1+ m, erect. Leaves dark green; sheaths longer than the internodes, glabrous, usually keeled; ligules 3-11 mm, truncate to acuminate; blades (2) 4-8 (10) mm wide, elongate, lax, with a conspicuous midrib and white, scabridulous to scabrous margins. Panicles 4-20 cm, typically pyramidal, lower branches spreading, upper branches appressed. Spikelets 5-8 mm, subsessile. Glumes 3-5 mm; lemmas 4-8 mm, scabridulous; paleas slightly shorter than the lemmas; anthers 2-3.5 mm. 2n = 14, 21, 27-31, 42.

Distribution

Alaska, Ala., Ark., Ariz., Colo., D.C., Del., Fla., Ga., Pacific Islands (Hawaii), Iowa, Idaho, Ill., Ind., Mass., Md., Mich., Minn., Mo., Miss., Mont., N.C., N.Dak., Nebr., N.J., N.Mex., Nev., Ohio, Okla., Oreg., Pa., S.C., S.Dak., Tenn., Utah, Va., Wash., Wis., W.Va., Wyo., Conn., N.Y., Maine, N.H., R.I., Vt., Tex., La., Calif., Puerto Rico, Kans., Alta., B.C., Greenland, Man., N.B., Nfld. and Labr. (Labr.), N.S., Ont., P.E.I., Que., Yukon, Ky.

Discussion

Dactylis glomerata grows in pastures, meadows, fence rows, roadsides, and similar habitats throughout North America. Native to Eurasia and Africa, it has been introduced throughout most of the cool-temperate regions of the world as a forage grass. It provides nutritious forage that is relished by all livestock, as well as by deer, geese, and rabbits. When abundant, the pollen can be a major contributor to hay fever.

The species includes both diploid and tetraploid populations. Although several infraspecific taxa have been described, based generally on the size of the stomata and pollen, variation in pubescence, and panicle features, formal taxonomic recognition does not seem warranted. Numerous cultivars have been developed for agricultural use.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.

"decumbent" is not a number.

... more about "Dactylis glomerata"
42 +, 27 +  and 31 +
membranous +  and scarious +
0.2 cm2 mm <br />0.002 m <br /> (0.35 cm3.5 mm <br />0.0035 m <br />) +
notched +
Kelly W. Allred +
1 (?) +  and 3 (?) +
straight +
basal +  and terminal +
keeled +  and rounded +
pseudopetiolate +  and branching +
intravaginal +, extravaginal +, branching +  and basal +
compressed +
swelling +
not evident +
scabridulous +  and scabrous +
elongate +
0.4 cm4 mm <br />0.004 m <br /> (0.8 cm8 mm <br />0.008 m <br />) +
spikelike +
1 cm10 mm <br />0.01 m <br /> (?) +
hairy +  and glabrous +
Orchardgrass +  and Dactyle pelotonnfi +
not branching +
0 cm0 mm <br />0 m <br /> (210 cm2,100 mm <br />2.1 m <br />) +
not woody +
Alaska +, Ala. +, Ark. +, Ariz. +, Colo. +, D.C. +, Del. +, Fla. +, Ga. +, Pacific Islands (Hawaii) +, Iowa +, Idaho +, Ill. +, Ind. +, Mass. +, Md. +, Mich. +, Minn. +, Mo. +, Miss. +, Mont. +, N.C. +, N.Dak. +, Nebr. +, N.J. +, N.Mex. +, Nev. +, Ohio +, Okla. +, Oreg. +, Pa. +, S.C. +, S.Dak. +, Tenn. +, Utah +, Va. +, Wash. +, Wis. +, W.Va. +, Wyo. +, Conn. +, N.Y. +, Maine +, N.H. +, R.I. +, Vt. +, Tex. +, La. +, Calif. +, Puerto Rico +, Kans. +, Alta. +, B.C. +, Greenland +, Man. +, N.B. +, Nfld. and Labr. (Labr.) +, N.S. +, Ont. +, P.E.I. +, Que. +, Yukon +  and Ky. +
1/4 +  and 1/3 +
liquid +, soft +  and hard +
capillary +
pistillate +  and staminate +
sometimes longer +
2 +  and 6 +
sterile +  and bisexual +
compressed +
reduced +
awn-tipped +  and 1-3-veined +
shorter or longer +
subtending +
ciliate-keeled +  and lanceolate +
unequal +
0.3 cm3 mm <br />0.003 m <br /> (0.5 cm5 mm <br />0.005 m <br />) +
uncinate +
dark green +
falling +  and maturity +
scabridulous +
oblong +  and ellipsoid +
0.4 cm4 mm <br />0.004 m <br /> (0.8 cm8 mm <br />0.008 m <br />) +
truncate +  and acuminate +
0.3 cm3 mm <br />0.003 m <br /> (1.1 cm11 mm <br />0.011 m <br />) +
membranous +
inconspicuous +
conspicuous +
concealed +  and prominent +
2 +  and 1 +
well-developed +
2-keeled +
pyramidal +
4 cm40 mm <br />0.04 m <br /> (20 cm200 mm <br />0.2 m <br />) +
dry +  and fleshy +
not prolonged +
1 +  and 60 +
compressed +, oval +  and elliptic +
0.5 cm5 mm <br />0.005 m <br /> (0.8 cm8 mm <br />0.008 m <br />) +
1 +  and 3 +
simple +  and compound +
2 (?) +  and 3 (?) +
Dactylis glomerata var. vivipara +, Dactylis glomerata var. deionsa +  and Dactylis glomerata var. ciliata +
Dactylis glomerata +
Dactylis +
species +
membranous +
parallel +  and converging +
stoloniferous +  and rhizomatous +
plant +  and cespitose +
aquatic +  and terrestrial +