Lolium

Lolium is a genus of tufted grasses, family Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, commonly known as ryegrass though that name sometimes applies to grasses in other genera. The genus originates in Europe, Asia and northern Africa and has since been cultivated and naturalized across Australia, the Americas and various oceanic islands. Members exhibit a bunch-like growth habit and are naturally diploid with a chromosome count of 2n equals 14, and the genus shares close evolutionary ties with the fescues, genus Festuca. Ryegrass should not be confused with rye, which is a separate grain crop.