European regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)
EU 27 regional assessment: Least Concern (LC)

Lolium multiflorum is widespread in southeastern and southwestern Europe and is widely naturalized elsewhere; it is therefore regionally assessed as Least Concern.

Lolium multiflorum is thought to be native to southeastern and southwestern Europe, western Asia and the Indian Subcontinent; however, the species is widely naturalized in temperate regions, as well as the Azores, and its exact native range is obscure (USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program 2010).

In Greece, this species is stable and common where it occurs. Further research is needed to gather information about the population size and trend of this species throughout the rest of its European range.

It is found in agricultural land and grassland in Greece. Further research is needed to gather information about the habitat of this species throughout the rest of its European range.

The threats to this species are unknown.

L. multiflorum is used for forage and fodder; wild populations may harbour important genetic diversity for crop improvement.

L. multiflorum is listed in Annex I of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

EURISCO reports 1,313 germplasm accessions of L. multiflorum held in European genebanks, 238 of which are reported to be of wild or weedy origin. Of the wild accessions, 215 originate from within Europe (EURISCO Catalogue 2010).

Research is needed on the population size and trend, potential threats and in situ conservation status of this species throughout its European range.