Common names: rye

Scientific names: Secale cereale

Seasons of significant use: fall, winter (for S. cereale-Triticum aestivum complex)

Characteristics: Introduced, annual, cool season grass to 4.0 feet. Culms erect, weak; inflorescence is a dense spike, terminal; spiklets awned, laterally compressed, 2-flowered; glumes with a solitary median nerve. Flowers April-June depending on variety.

Plant community type: Cultivated for cool season pasture and grain. Sometimes used to overseed open pastureland with perennial warm season grasses.

Comments: Usually does not reseed voluntarily and requires adequate fertilization .

More Plant Photos and Descriptions:
Appendix C: Plants by Common Name
Appendix C: Plants by Scientific Name
Appendix C: Plants Listed by Family