Orchard GrassDactylis glomerata Linnaeus

Taxon ID: 3963

Summary

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata) is a species in the genus Dactylis.

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Records

MBP has 579 records spanning all 23 Maryland counties and Baltimore City.

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Media

16 displayed media

Orchard Grass in Howard Co., Maryland (5/16/2017).

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata Linnaeus) Media by Bill Harms View Record

An Orchard Grass in Charles Co., Maryland (5/24/2014).

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata Linnaeus) Media by Jim Stasz

Orchard Grass in Somerset Co., Maryland (6/4/2018).

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata Linnaeus) Media by Wayne Longbottom View Record

Orchard Grass in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/25/2011).

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata Linnaeus) Media by Bill Harms View Record

Orchard Grass growing in Queen Anne's Co., Maryland (5/7/2016).

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata Linnaeus) Media by Dan Small View Record

Orchard Grass in Kent Co., Maryland (5/14/2016).

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata Linnaeus) Media by Dan Small View Record

Orchard Grass in Caroline Co., Maryland (5/13/2018).

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata Linnaeus) Media by Wayne Longbottom View Record

Orchard Grass in Caroline Co., Maryland (5/25/2014).

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata Linnaeus) Media by Jim Stasz

Orchard Grass in Howard Co., Maryland (5/24/2010).

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata Linnaeus) Media by Bill Harms View Record

Orchard Grass in Caroline Co., Maryland (5/14/2018).

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata Linnaeus) Media by Wayne Longbottom View Record

Orchard Grass in Queen Anne's Co., Maryland (5/21/2018).

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata Linnaeus) Media by Wayne Longbottom View Record

Orchard Grass growing in Anne Arundel Co., Maryland (5/2/2017).

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata Linnaeus) Media by Tyler Bell View Record

Orchard Grass in Baltimore Co., Maryland (5/18/2017).

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata Linnaeus) Media by Bill Harms View Record

Orchard Grass in Dorchester Co., Maryland (4/23/2026). (c) Jim Brighton, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>)

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata Linnaeus) Media by Jim Brighton View Record

Orchard Grass in Baltimore Co., Maryland (4/29/2019). (c) susanrich01, some rights reserved (<a rel='license' href='http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/'>CC BY-NC</a>).

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata Linnaeus) Media by susanrich01 via iNaturalist View Record

Orchard Grass in Washington Co., Maryland (5/28/2017).

Orchard Grass (Dactylis glomerata Linnaeus) Media by Bill Harms View Record

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Media use: Photos and other media featured on Maryland Biodiversity Project may be used only with express permission of the photographer.

Details

Status

Orchard Grass is a non-native grass that is common across Maryland. This spring blooming grass can be found in open sunny habitats, like roadsides and meadows. It was first introduced to the United States in the late 1700's in hay and foraging material for livestock. It is still commonly planted as forage material for livestock, and is now established throughout most of the United States.

Description

Orchard Grass typically grows to an erect three to four feet. The dense groupings of spikelets at the ends of the branches and stems make for easy identification.

Where To Find

Look for Orchard Grass along open roadsides, meadows, and on the edges of agricultural and fallow fields.

Relationships

Host plant for European Skipper. Zabulon Skippers were observed ovipositing on Orchard Grass in Connecticut (The Butterflies of Massachusetts). A major cause of Hay Fever! Some people experience a rash from contact with the pollen (J. Stasz, pers. comm.).

MBP marks as "Invasive" any taxon listed in the Maryland Invasive Species Council (MISC) list of Invasive Species of Concern in Maryland. You can read their criteria and review the lists here: https://mdinvasives.org/species-of-concern/.