Wimmera Rye-grass

Wimmera Rye-grass

Wimmera Rye-grass

Lolium rigidum

Annual. Dies back each year but re-establishes itself by setting seed. The seed stays viable in the soil for several years. Used as a pasture grass in the lower rainfall areas of temperate Australia.

Details Description
Type
Graminoid
Group
Grass
Identifying Characteristics

Open tussock to 1 m tall. Leaves dark green, flat, 25 cm long and 3-5 mm wide, upper surface evenly ribbed, lower surface smooth and shiny. The flower head is a 20 cm long spike. Flowers August-December.
Distinctive Features

Long tightly packed flower spike. Purple colouring on leaf bases and stem nodes.
Life Form Group
Graminoid
Life Form Codes
Medium to Small Tufted Graminoid (MTG)
EVC types
EVC 132_61: Heavier-soils Plains Grassland
EVC 132_62: Lighter-soils Plains Grassland
EVC 132_63: Low-rainfall Plains Grassland
EVC 803: Plains Woodland
Native Status
Introduced
Weed Status Invasiveness
High INVASIVE
Weed Status Impact
Low IMPACT
Taxonomy
Phylum
Charophyta
Class
Equisetopsida
Order
Poales
Family
Poaceae
Genus
Lolium
Species
rigidum
Wimmera Rye-grass
Native to the Mediterranean region. Widespread in southern Australia.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Endangered Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.