Ryegrass?

emski_fletcher

My dad is sure that these came as a freebie with his bedding plants (J Parker’s) last year. I was thinking of planting into a little patch in my garden that I’m planning to leave wild this year. Does anyone know if this is ryegrass? Trying to identify by the red stem base and cylindrical stems. Thanks 

Buttercupdays

Not ryegrass, it's Juncus, soft rush. You don't want it, it's not especially pretty and it is invasive!

B3

Out of interest,I once let a small clump grow in my garden but I would never let it seed. It is invasive.

emski_fletcher

Thanks for that. Just read this on the Wildlife Trust’s site.  With the energy price hikes I might hold onto it!! 😂
Traditionally, this was soaked in fat and used as wicks in household lamps as it was a cheaper alternative to candlelight; this practice was revived during the Second World War in some rural areas. 

Buttercupdays

It's no  fun to dig out of your lawn and I battle it every year as it threatens to take over all my sheep grazing land. That battle is lost on the moors nearby.