Orchardgrass
Grasses
Orchardgrass
Dactylis glomerata L.
Longevity: Perennial
Palatability: Medium-High
Winter Hardiness: Fair
Growth Habit: Bunchgrass
Drought Tolerance: Fair
Cool or Warm Season: Cool
Use and Comments: High-yielding, cool season pasture and hay (withstands 4 cut system with alfalfa)
Distribution in U.S.: Midwest, Northeast, and Northwest
Height: 24-48 inches
Inflorescence: Open panicle; 3 to 5 florets per spikelet
Culm: Nearly round; enveloping sheath much flattened
Leaves: Tip ends of leaf blades boat-shaped; no auricles present; large ligule; cross section of leaf blade V-shaped
Drainage: Somewhat Poorly Drained
Fertility: Medium
pH: 5.5-8.2
Color: Light tan
Shape: Keel shaped; lemma pointed and twisted; rachilla long and slender
Other Characteristics: Cilia on keel (mostly rubbed off in commercial handling)
Pounds per Bushel: 14
Seeds per Pound: 654,000
Seeding Rate: 10 pounds PLS per acre
Seeding Date (Indiana): Mar 1 - May 1 or Aug 1 - Sept 1
Emergence Time (Days): 18
Optimum Germ. Temp. (F): 60°-75°
Longevity: Perennial
Palatability: Medium-High
Winter Hardiness: Fair
Growth Habit: Bunchgrass
Drought Tolerance: Fair
Cool or Warm Season: Cool
Use and Comments: High-yielding, cool season pasture and hay (withstands 4 cut system with alfalfa)
Distribution in U.S.: Midwest, Northeast, and Northwest
Height: 24-48 inches
Inflorescence: Open panicle; 3 to 5 florets per spikelet
Culm: Nearly round; enveloping sheath much flattened
Leaves: Tip ends of leaf blades boat-shaped; no auricles present; large ligule; cross section of leaf blade V-shaped
Drainage: Somewhat Poorly Drained
Fertility: Medium
pH: 5.5-8.2
Color: Light tan
Shape: Keel shaped; lemma pointed and twisted; rachilla long and slender
Other Characteristics: Cilia on keel (mostly rubbed off in commercial handling)
Pounds per Bushel: 14
Seeds per Pound: 654,000
Seeding Rate: 10 pounds PLS per acre
Seeding Date (Indiana): Mar 1 - May 1 or Aug 1 - Sept 1
Emergence Time (Days): 18
Optimum Germ. Temp. (F): 60°-75°
