The base of Annual Ryegrass is often yellowish green. No branching occurs above the crown. Culm nodes are glabrous and internodes are hollow. The claw-like auricles are narrow, hairless, and very narrow. The sheath is split, overlapping, and hairless with a reddish base.
Ligules are membranous hairless, always short, and truncate.
The rolled leaf blade is slender and shiny. It often grows to twelve inches in length. Sides taper to a tip. The lower surface is smooth. Distinct adaxial ribs are present, as is a conspicuous midrib.