Stiff darnel (Lolium rigidum, Agrost. Helv. 1: 334 (1811))

Family: Poaceae

Author: Gaudin

Bibliography: Agrost. Helv. 1: 334 (1811)

Year: 1811

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lolium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia to SC. Europe and W. Himalaya, China (Gansu, Henan)

Description

Stiff darnel, a resilient and versatile species, holds the scientific name Lolium rigidum. First described in 1811 by the botanist Gaudin in his monumental work “Agrost. Helv.” (1: 334), this plant is a member of the Poaceae family, a large and economically significant family of grasses.

Originating from a diverse range of geographical regions, the stiff darnel is native to Macaronesia, southern and central Europe, as well as parts of the west Himalayan range and China, specifically the provinces of Gansu and Henan. Its distribution across these varied climates highlights the plant’s adaptability and hardiness.

Recognized by its rigid and firm structure, Lolium rigidum grows predominantly in temperate climates and can often be found in meadows, fields, and disturbed land areas. The species is valued not only for its persistence and toughness but also for its role in turfgrass science and agriculture. It often thrives in soils of moderate fertility and has shown a remarkable ability to withstand both drought and competition from other plants.

Despite its robust nature, the stiff darnel is not devoid of challenges. In agricultural settings, it is known to compete with crops for resources, occasionally being classified as a weed. Farmers and agronomists observe this species keenly to manage and control its spread to ensure it does not adversely impact agricultural productivity.

In conclusion, the stiff darnel, Lolium rigidum, is a noteworthy grass species within the Poaceae family. Its historical classification by Gaudin reflects a long-standing recognition and study of its presence across continents. From Macaronesia to the Himalayas and the grasslands of China, this plant demonstrates a remarkable capacity to endure and proliferate in a variety of environmental conditions, making it a fascinating subject for further botanical and agricultural research.

Common Names

Deu: dünnschwanz-steif-lolch, eigentlicher steif-lolch, steifer lolch
Eng: mediterranean rye-grass, mediterranean ryegrass, wimmera ryegrass, annual ryegrass, rigid ryegrass, stiff darnel, stiff ryegrass, rigid italian ryegrass
Dan: ru rajgræs
Fra: ivraie raide, ivraie à épis serrés
Ces: jílek tuhý
Spa: raygrás rígido
Swe: styvrepe, styvt rajgräs
Cym: rhygwellt môr y canoldir
En: Stiff darnel, Annual ryegrass, Mediterranean ryegrass, Wimmera ryegrass, Rigid ryegrass, Annual Rye-grass, Rigid Rye Grass, Mediterranean Rye-grass, Stiff ryegrass, Rigid Italian ryegrass
Ar: سحله (سَحَله)، زمير (زُمِّير), صامه (صَامّه), زوان خشن
Az: Sərt quramat
Bg: Твърда глушина
Ca: Margall dret
Zh: Ying zhi hei mai cao, 硬直黑麦草
Hr: Tvrdi ljulj
Cs: Jílek tuhý
Da: Ru rajgræs
Fi: Tankearaiheinä, Tankiraiheinä
Fr: Ivraie raide, Ivraie à épis serrés, Ivraie à épi serré
De: Steifer Lolch, Steif-Lolch, Dünnschwanz-Steif-Lolch, Eigentlicher Steif-Lolch, Steifes Weidelgras
He: זון אשון
It: Loglio rigido
Fa: چچم شکننده
Es: Raygrás rígido, Vallico
Sv: Styvrepe, Styvt rajgräs
Uk: Пажитниця жорстка
Cy: Rhygwellt Môr y Canoldir

Synonyms

• Lolium cylindricum (K.Koch)
• Monerma stricta (C.Presl)
• Lolium macilentum (Delastre)
• Lolium strictum var. maritimum (Godr.)
• Lolium parabolicae (Sennen ex Samp.)
• Lolium temulentum subsp. oliganthum ((Godr.) K.Richt.)
• Arthrochortus loliaceus (Lowe)
• Lolium lowei (Menezes)
• Lolium scholzii (Greuter)
• Rottboellia loliacea (Bory & Chaub.)
• Lolium rigidum subsp. parabolicae ((Sennen ex Samp.) O.Bolòs & Vigo)
• Lolium arenarium (Rouville)
• Lolium arvense var. rigidum ((Gaudin) Laterr.)
• Lolium rigidum var. oliganthum ((Godr.) Maire & Weiller)
• Lolium perenne var. rigidum ((Gaudin) Coss. & Durieu)
• Lolium rigidum var. aristatum (Hack.)
• Lolium strictum subsp. humile ((Rouy) Rouy)
• Lolium rigidum var. subacaulis (Vis.)
• Festuca aleppica (Hochst. ex Steud.)
• Lolium rigidum var. glabrum (Grossh.)
• Lolium rigidum var. duthiei (Hook.f.)
• Lolium rigidum var. atherophorum (Maire)
• Lolium strictum var. giganteum (Loscos & J.Pardo)
• Lolium strictum (Decker ex Steud.)
• Lolium rigidum subsp. lepturoides ((Fiori & Paoli) Sennen & Mauricio)
• Lolium rigidum var. corsicum (Hack.)
• Lolium perenne subsp. rigidum ((Gaudin) Á.Löve & D.Löve)
• Lolium temulentum var. oliganthum (Godr.)
• Lolium durum (K.Koch)
• Lolium husnotii (Sennen)
• Crypturus loliaceus ((Bory & Chaub.) Link)
• Lolium multiflorum var. rigidum ((Gaudin) Trab.)
• Lolium rigidum var. transiens (Burollet)
• Lolium rigidum var. duthiaei (Hook.f.)
• Lolium teres (H.Lindb.)
• Lolium strictum var. humile ((Rouy) P.Fourn.)
• Lolium rigidum var. longiglume (Melderis)
• Lolium rigidum subsp. maroccanum (Sennen & Mauricio)
• Lolium rigidum var. loliaceum ((Bory & Chaub.) Halácsy)
• Lolium rigidum var. maritimum ((Godr.) Hack.)
• Lolium multiflorum var. lepturoides ((Boiss.) Trab.)
• Lolium rigidum var. rottboellioides (Heldr. ex Boiss.)
• Lolium crassiculme (Rech.f.)
• Lolium flagellare (Spruner ex Boiss.)
• Lolium loliaceum ((Bory & Chaub.) Hand.-Mazz.)
• Lolium rigidum var. asperum (Grognot)
• Lolium phoenice (Rouville)
• Lolium rigidum var. strictum ((C.Presl) Cufod.)
• Lolium italicum var. muticum ((DC.) Parl.)
• Lolium rigidum var. perenne (Grossh.)
• Lolium rigidum var. lepturoides (Fiori & Paoli)
• Lolium rigidum subsp. negevense (Feinbrun)
• Lolium suffultum (Sieber ex Huter)
• Lolium rigidum var. subteres (Maire & Weiller)
• Lolium rigidum var. teres ((H.Lindb.) Maire)
• Lolium strictum var. tenue (Godr.)
• Lolium rigidum var. tenue ((Godr.) T.Durand & Schinz)
• Lolium humile (Rouy)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuwait (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Selvagens (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kermadec Is. (introduced)
• Khabarovsk (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Manitoba (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Namibia (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• St.Helena (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 18, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 2, 2022 by Simon Flippo (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 5, 2022 by Béatrice Parent (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2022 by Béatrice Parent (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 5, 2022 by Béatrice Parent (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2021 by Josep M M (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 13, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Patrick Leboulenger (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2020 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 18, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Gisèle DAKHLIA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 18, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Gisèle DAKHLIA (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 27, 2019 by Sergio costantini (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken May 31, 1874 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Aug 23, 2021 by kal l (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2022 by Sarah Hart (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2021 by mechri bahri (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 19, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jun 19, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Joris Eudeline (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2706218)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:407503-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lolium rigidum Gaudin)

Specifications

Growth form: Bunch

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 7