Orchardgrass

Dactylis glomerata

Weed Description
Orchardgrass is an erect cool-season perennial forage grass common throughout the United States. It can often be found as a weed of agronomic and horticultural crops, landscapes, turfgrass, and lawns.

Leaves
Distinctly folded in the bud, measuring 3 to 12 inches in length and 3 to 8 mm in width. Orchardgrass has a distinctive bluish-green color that stands out from most other grass, is without auricles, and has a large, 3 to 5 mm toothed membranous ligule.

Sheaths
Erect, hollow, and distinctly flattened.

Flowers
Seedheads are panicles ranging from 2 to 8 inches in length. Spiklets are fan-shaped and are densely crowded.

Roots
Fibrous root system, rarely with short rhizomes.

Identifying Characteristics
The distinctly flattened sheath, bluish-green color, and large membranous ligule are all characteristics that help to distinguish orchardgrass from most other grass species.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Orchardgrass

Dactylis glomerata