Orchardgrass
Dactylis glomerata
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canary Is., China, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Madeira, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Didier Descouens
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Dactylis
- Species:
- Dactylis glomerata
- USDA Symbol:
- DAGL
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- green, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★★☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Aletia oxygala, American wainscot (Hydraecia immanis), Armyworm moth (Pseudaletia unipuncta), Asymmetrura graminivorella, bicolored sallow (Neleucania bicolorata), changeable grass-veneer (Fissicrambus mutabilis), Comma Leucania (Leucania commoides), Ctenucha rubroscapus, false wainscot (Leucania pseudargyria), Faronta albilinea, Faronta diffusa, Faronta tetera, Leucania adjuta, Leucania farcta, Leucania inermis, Leucania infatuans, Leucania insueta, Leucania latiuscula, Leucania linita, Leucania multilinea, Leucania phragmitidicola, Leucania pilipalpis, Leucania scirpicola, Leucania sp., stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris), topiary grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia topiaria), Essex Skipper (Thymelicus lineola), Little Wood Satyr (Megisto cymela), Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from basal crowns after fire; can increase in abundance with frequent fire.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment in moist soil at 15-20°C.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)
- Native Seed Group (seeds)