Importance

Very common and widespread, favouring heavier or wet soils and compaction. Mainly autumn-germination from near the surface and very competitive.

Description

Loosely tufted perennial at or above crop height 30-100 cm. Spreads by short creeping stolons which are yellowish-green or greyish-green in colour. Lower stem base and leaf sheaths usually feel rough. Generally bright green but can be purplish. Flowering head is branched and spreading but can be contracted and dense. Spikelets are small and awnless.

Ligule

Long: 4-10 mm. Pointed and membranous. Longest on top leaves.

Auricles: Absent

Leaf blade: Green and hairless, with boat-shaped tip. Minutely rough and abruptly pointed. Lower glossy and keeled with 'tramlines'. Folded first, opening flat later.

Rough meadow-grass young plant

Rough meadow-grass ligules

Rough meadow-grass flower head