Orchard Grass

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A common pasture grass

In May, many cool-season grasses begin to flower, which makes them a bit easier to identify. One such grass is a European pasture and hay grass called Orchard Grass, Dactylis glomerata. This non-native grass has been used in agriculture for centuries and can persist in old fields, while also growing along roadsides and in other disturbed areas.

This grass can be found throughout Illinois. Prairie restorations on former farmland are a prime spot to find this grass.

How to identify before it flowers

Orchard Grass typically grows 3 to 4 feet tall, forming bunches. It is rhizomatous and can spread over time. Its leaves and leaf sheaths are keeled, meaning it looks like they were folded in half and retain a crease. Oftentimes the leaves found near the top of the plant are held 90 degrees away from the stem. The ligule is distinct on this grass – it is a very tall, membranous ligule, but it doesn’t stay in one piece. It often looks like it has been ripped into smaller pieces.

Taking a closer look at the flowers

Orchard Grass produces a panicle inflorescence, with branches that have clusters of spikelets near their tips, with the base and middle of the branches bare. The clusters of spikelets look fluffy or bushy. They can be green to purple in color, and the spikelets do not have awns. When mature, some of the branches of the inflorescence are held 90 degrees away from the rachis (central stem of the inflorescence).

How did it get its name?

A final note – why the name Orchard Grass? About 200 years ago, farmers in Virginia noticed that this grass grew well under the shade of the trees in their orchards and served as a forage grass, a unique combination.

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clump of orchardgrass in a field
Orchard Grass blooms in May and can get up to 4 feet tall.
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hand holding stem showing keeled leaf sheath
Orchard Grass has a keeled leaf sheath. It looks like the sheath was folded in half and retains that crease.
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grass stem with membranous ligule
Tall, membranous ligule of Orchard Grass that has torn into pieces.
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Orchard Grass in bloom with anthers visible
Panicle inflorescence of Orchard Grass, with branches bare except for the clusters of spikelets at their tips.
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Orchard Grass in bloom with anthers pushed out of the spikelets.
Orchard Grass in bloom, with anthers pushed out of the spikelets.
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hand holding orchardgrass spikelets
When not in bloom, the spikelets of Orchard Grass are found in small bush-like clusters at the tips of the branches.
How to Identify Orchard Grass

Orchard Grass, Dactylis glomerata, is a non-native cool season grass that grows in old fields, pastures, and disturbed areas. When identifying this grass, look for the open leaf sheath, as well as the tall membranous ligule. This ligule can range from white to yellow in color and what...