Japanese name: ホソムギ（細麦） Scientific name:Lolium perenne
[Overview]
A perennial 30–60 cm tall.
It is hairless throughout, and the stem is erect.
The leaves are simple and alternate, linear, about 4–25 cm long and 0.2–0.5 cm wide, and glossy.
Before unfolding, the leaves are folded inward along the midrib.
A spike-like inflorescence 15–25 cm long bears stalkless spikelets 1–2 cm long, arranged alternately.
The axis of the inflorescence is smooth.
The first glume is present only on the spikelet at the tip of the inflorescence and is reduced in the lateral spikelets.
The spikelets are longer than the second glume, and the lemma has no awn.
[History]
It was introduced as a forage grass in the early Meiji period and has become naturalized in various regions.
