Perennial ryegrass leaves vary from narrow and fine (like bluegrass) to broad and coarse like tall fescue. In all cases, leaves have a very waxy or shiny appearance. Perennial ryegrass has a distinct purpling at the base of the stem.
Perennial ryegrass leaves are flattened in the bud, in contrast to annual ryegrass leaves, which come out rolled. By comparison, annual ryegrass heads typically have more florets per flower and usually have awns (fine hairs extending from the ends of each seed), while perennial ryegrass has fewer florets and doesn't have awns.
Shiny, dark green, annual bunchgrass with smooth leaves. Grows 2 to 4 feet tall in seed head stage.