Orchardgrass

Poaceae

LIFE FORM: Perennial

NATIVITY: Europe

VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

A tussock-forming species that can reach several feet tall when in flower.

FLOWERS:

Spikelets are crowded in one-sided clusters at the end of stiffly spreading branches forming finger-like infloresences (hence the name Dactiylis).

FRUIT/DISPERSAL AGENTS:

Not noted.

ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCE:

Trampled lawns in public parks; minimally maintained public parks and open space; abandoned grasslands (meadows); unmowed highway banks and median strips with frequent salt applications.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION:

Salt tolerance along roadways; drought tolerance on compacted soils; erosion control on slopes.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Originally introduced as a meadow and pasture grass used as forage for domestic animals.