Darnel Ryegrass (Lolium temulentum)

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Lolium temulentum is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Seed - cooked. Used as a piñole or ground into a flour and used to make bread etc. It is very nutritious, like oats, but it is not advisable to eat the seed due to the risk of fungal infection. — Used as a piñole or ground into a flour and used to make bread etc.; It is very nutritious, like oats, but it is not advisable to eat the seed due to the risk of fungal infection.; This fungal infection, called ergot, causes hallucinations in small doses but can cause severe damage to the nervous system in larger quantities.

Habitat & North American Range

Cultivated fields and waste ground in Britain. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)