BES-TEX Weed ID Guide · Grassy Weeds
Also called Italian Ryegrass · Lolium multiflorum
Common Name
Annual Ryegrass, Italian Ryegrass
Latin Name
Lolium multiflorum
Family
Poaceae
Life Cycle / Type
Winter annual · Grassy weed
Annual ryegrass is a winter annual grassy weed with shiny, narrow leaves and a bunch-type growth habit. It is commonly found in lawns, pastures, roadsides, and disturbed turf, especially where fall pre-emergent timing is missed.
Annual ryegrass germinates as soils cool in the fall.
Below 55°F
Germination begins
Cool winter soils
Continued establishment
Decision Question
Missed fall pre-emergent timing
Thin or dormant Bermuda turf
Soil disturbance or bare areas
A healthy, thick lawn is the best defense against weeds.