Dactylis glomerataL. Orchard grass

Dactylis glomerataL. - Orchard grass

Scientific Description:

Coarse stiff caespitose perennial with short praemorse rhizome. Stems (10−)15−100 cm or more, erect or decumbent, with 2−3(−4) nodes; vegetative shoots ± strongly compressed. Ligule (l−)2−8(−10.5) mm, acute or lacerate. Leaf blades narrowly linear, 3−30(−40) cm × 0.5−5(−6) mm, glaucous or dull green, scabrid. Panicle 1−18 cm, with or without distinct branches to 7 cm, (in Turkey) often reduced to an ovoid to oblong head of subsessile fascicles of spikelets. Spikelets 5−9 mm, crowded in fascicles, 2−5-flowered. Glumes lanceolate to ovate, long-acute, lower (2.2−)3.5−6(−6.5) mm. Lemma lanceolate, lowest 4−6(−7) mm, acuminate or emarginate at apex, muticous or with a mucro or short subterminal awn to 1.5 mm. Anthers 1.8−4 mm.

subsp. glomerata

Inflorescence not secund, with stouter panicle branches; leaves not flaccid.

Flowering time: May−July.

Habitat: Pinus L. forests, hillsides, fields, nr s.l−2300 m.

Reference:

Mill RR (1985). Dactylis glomerata L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 9: 510.

Public Description:

Dactylis glomerata subsp. glomerata, known as “orchard grass”, is native throughout most of Europe, temperate Asia, and northern Africa. It is a perennial herb and grows up to 100 cm in length. It blooms between May and July and is found in pine forests, hillsides and fields. Orchard grasses are among the ideal daily feeds for livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, horses and other animals. It is a good choice for grazing animals, easy to digest and grow. They grow in bunches and are quick to establish itself in most locations, and are best-suited as a cool season grass.

References:

Anonymous (2016). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dactylis_glomerata /,Accessed date: 15.03.2016.

Cabi E, Doğan M (2012). Dactylis L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 711–712.