Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass)

Growth habit:horst-forming

Leaf:medium broad-fine, strongly shiny underneath, dark green

Top side of the leaf:grooved

Ligule:short (up to 2 mm)

Leaf ears:short, clear

Leaf position:folded (like all Poa species)

Leaf base & Stem base:mostly reddish-purple

Together:quite large, TKM ≈ 2 g (approx. 500 grains/g)

Germination period:approx. 7 days (3-4 days under ideal conditions)

Site suitability:Good, cohesive soils; fresh, well-watered sites; no peaty soils

Special features:develops fastest of all grasses in the germination process; tolerates temperatures down to -18 °C (even lower when covered with snow); very high tread resistance; very high shear resistance; fast regeneration; fast growth

Care:requires a high nutrient supply; tillering is promoted by frequent pruning and many stressful loads

Use / utilization:ideal for sports stadiums, sports areas; very suitable for golf tees & fairways; also in private gardens

Negative characteristics:susceptible toMicrodochium nivale(especially with high N-supply in autumn); not suitable for greens (insufficient grain density); in loose "spudded" areas it forms strong clumps; in case of nutrient deficiency red top (can be remedied by targeted N-fertilization)