[MAIPC] Using annual ryegrass in cover mixes

[Judy Fulton]

Hi Colleen,

I don't have personal experience with growing Lolium multiflorum (aka 
Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum and Festuca perennis), but I do get 
concerned when people talk about using it because it has been mentioned 
as invasive or naturalizing by various sources. Here's a sampling of links:

  * CABI: https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/31165#tosummaryOfInvasiveness
  * NC State Extension:
    https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/lolium-multiflorum/
  * Cal-IPC:
    https://www.cal-ipc.org/plants/profile/festuca-perennis-profile/
  * WV:
    http://www.midatlanticpanel.org//wp-content/uploads/2016/04/WV_ISSP_2014.pdf
    (pg 45)
  * Weakley's Flora of Southeastern (no judgment about invasiveness, but
    shown as exotic and growing uncultivated throughout the
    Mid-Atlantic):
    https://ncbg.unc.edu/research/unc-herbarium/flora-request/
  * USDA Agricultural Research Service (Naturalized section under
    Distribution tab):
    https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=22493

Because of these and other sources, I've included Lolium multiflorum in 
the Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool (https://www.invasive.org/midatlantic/). 
Frankly, if I were doing the planting, I'd choose to go all native.

Judy

____________________________________________

Judith P. Fulton
EcoPlant Consulting: Native and Invasive Plants
Board, Maryland Native Plant Society
Board, Mid-Atlantic Invasive Plant Council
Chair, Maryland Invasive Species Council's Committee on Invasives Lists
Voice: 410-337-3701, Text only: 410-404-8201

On 10/20/2021 12:43 PM, Kenny, Colleen wrote:
> Hi all,
> I'm looking at doing a warm/cool season grass mix from Ernst in an 
> area that has a lot of exposed soil (we're very worried about 
> erosion). The mixes have annual ryegrass (/Lolium multiflorum/) which 
> is not native, but apparently germinates much faster and more 
> aggressively than the native ryegrasses.
>
> Does anyone have experience with these? Will the ryegrass peter out in 
> a few years? Any need to worry about it taking over too aggressively?
>
> I'm facing the tradeoff between need to stop erosion and desire to go 
> all-native. If the annual rye is not detrimental it would be worth the 
> faster germination.
>
> I appreciate your thoughts,
> Colleen
>
> Colleen Kenny
> Natural Resource Manager
> Upper Dublin Township at Commerce
> 370 Commerce Drive, Fort Washington, PA 19034
>
> Email: ckenny at upperdublin.net
> Office: 215.643.1600 x3843
> Cell: 267.615.3731
>
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