The most common another name perennial ryegrass goes by is its Latin name Lolium perenne. You'll also hear people call it English ryegrass, winter ryegrass, or just common ryegrass. The name changes based on where you live and who you're asking.
The scientific name Lolium perenne tells you a lot about this grass. Lolium is the genus that covers all ryegrasses. The word perenne comes from Latin and means "lasting through the years." This sets it apart from annual ryegrass, which goes by Lolium multiflorum. Knowing these names helps you read seed bags and buy the right grass for your lawn.
I've hit name confusion at garden centers more times than I'd like. One store labeled bags as just "ryegrass" with no annual or perennial tag. Another used "winter grass" on the shelf, which could mean many things. The worst was a bag sold as "premium lawn grass" that turned out to be a forage type meant for cattle. It grew coarse and ugly in my yard.
The turf world adds even more names to this grass. Turf-type means a variety bred for fine blades and dense lawn growth. Forage-type has coarser blades and higher yield for grazing animals. Diploid types have 14 chromosomes and make up most lawn seed you'll find. Tetraploid types have 28 chromosomes and work better for pasture use.
A newer name you might see is RPR. That's short for Regenerating Perennial Ryegrass. These types can produce short runners that give your grass some spreading power. Normal ryegrass is a strict bunch-type with zero spread. RPR types fill small gaps on their own, though not as fast as bluegrass. You'll spot this name on premium sports field blends.
The name English ryegrass traces back to southern Europe and parts of western Asia. English farmers first grew it for pastures back in the 1600s and the name stuck. Today you'll find it growing on every continent but Antarctica. People call it by local names in dozens of countries around the world.
Read your seed labels with care before you buy. Look for Lolium perenne in the species list on the back of the bag. Check for "turf-type" or "endophyte" notes if you want a lawn grass. Most important, make sure your bag doesn't say Lolium multiflorum. That's the annual type that dies after one season and won't give you a lasting lawn.
Read the full article: Perennial Ryegrass Guide for Lawns
