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orchardgrass
Scientific Name: Dactylis
Family: Poaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Orchardgrass: A Versatile Forage and Pasture Grass
Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), also known as cock's-foot or cocksfoot, is a widely cultivated perennial grass valued for its use as forage and hay. It is a cool-season, tall-growing bunchgrass that forms clumps and an open sod.
Considerations for Pets
- Oxbow Orchard Grass Hay, with its green, fruity smell, is a popular choice for small animals.
- Standlee Premium Western Orchard Grass is mentioned as having a moderate to high sugar content which should be considered for animals with specific dietary needs.
Considerations for Children
- Orchardgrass can be found in lawns and gardens, especially in certain regions like the Northeastern US, and children may encounter it during outdoor play.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Dactylis glomerata L.
- Common Names: Orchardgrass, Cock's-foot, Cocksfoot
- Dactylis is a genus within the bluegrass subfamily of the grass family (Poaceae).
Distribution and Habitat
- Orchardgrass is native to Eurasia and North Africa and has been introduced to the United States.
- It is distributed throughout much of the northeastern US and found throughout California up to an elevation of approximately 8200 feet (2500 m), excluding desert regions.
- It thrives on irrigated pastures and non-irrigated rangelands at intermediate elevations.
- Its persistence may be a problem on south slopes in the droughty shallow soils of the Ozark Mountains.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Orchardgrass is a perennial, cool-season bunchgrass.
- It is tall-growing and does not have rhizomes or stolons, resulting in a bunch-type growth habit.
- It forms clumps and an open sod.
- The leaves are often characterized by a blue-green color.
- Key characteristics include a flattened leaf sheath, tall membranous ligule, and absence of auricles.
- It starts growth early in spring, develops rapidly, and flowers in May (under Pennsylvania conditions).
Ecological Role
- Orchardgrass can be a contaminant in commercial tall fescue seed.
- It is sometimes considered a common perennial weed of turf.
- It enhances the nitrogen content in soil when planted.
Uses
- The primary use of orchardgrass is for pasture and hay.
- It is an ideal forage grass for a wide variety of livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and others.
- It can be used in wildlife food plots for deer, turkey, and quail.
- It can be used for erosion control, fodder, silage, and natural ground cover.
Quirky Facts
- Orchardgrass hay can be evaluated from both nutritional and marketing perspectives.
- Newer varieties are being developed with later maturity.