Cock's-Foot Dactylis glomerata

Dactylis glomerata, or Orchard Grass, is a cool-season perennial bunching grass that grows up to 6 feet high. It is a cespitose (clumping, mat forming) grass native to Eurasia and Africa that is generally considered a weed. It can be found in meadows, pasture, roadsides, and rough grassland and has become invasive in some areas of eastern USA. Orchard grass forms a dense network of non-rhizomatous roots, making it useful for erosion control. It has been introduced throughout most of the cool-temperate regions of the world as a forage grass in pastures, and for hay and silage production. It is highly palatable to all classes of livestock, although it is considered a weed in turf grass. Cats are said to like to chew it, hence the common name Cat Grass. Orchardgrass is used in grass-legume mixes for nesting, broad rearing, escape and winter cover in upland wildlife and conservation plantings.

Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems:

No known diseases or insect problems. Considered invasive in some states. Weedy, When abundant, the pollen can be a major contributor to hay fever.