smooth brome
(Bromus inermis)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Appearance
Bromus inermis is a perennial grass that is 1-3.5 ft. (0.3-1.1 m) tall.
Foliage
The leaves have a fine texture and are alternate, 0.25-0.75 in. (0.6-1.9 cm) wide, 6-15 in. (15.2-38.1 cm) long, glabrous, flat, and grayish blue on the upper surface and green on the lower surface.
Flowers
Flowers are contained in drooping panicles and appear in early to mid-summer. Each branch of the inflorescence has several purplish spikelets, each containing 7-10 flowers. Flowers, when in bloom, are yellow in color.
Fruit
Seeds are brown and are produced in 4-8 in. (10.2-20.3 cm) long panicles on ascending branches of the flower head. The seed period occurs in summer.
Ecological Threat
This grass prefers sunny areas along roadsides and also in fields, pastures and prairies. Bromus inermis is a native of Europe and was introduced into the United States in the late 1800’s.
General Description:Bromus inermis is a deeply rooting, rhizomatous perennial grass.
Diagnostic Characteristics: The ascending or stiff branches of the open panicle are a key characteristic distinguishing Bromus inermis and Bromus erectus from a group of similar native bromegrasses. The awnless lemmas, from which the species derives its Latin name, distinguish Bromus inermis from both the introduced and similar Bromus erectus and from the native Bromus pumpellianus.
Resources
- Fire Effects Information System - USDA Forest Service
- Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- City of Ann Arbor Michigan Parks and Recreation
- Hoffman, R. & K. Kearns, Eds. 1997. Wisconsin manual of control recommendations for ecologically invasive plants. Wisconsin Dept. Natural Resources, Bureau of Endangered Resources. Madison, Wisconsin. 102pp.
- Invasive Plant Association of Wisconsin
- Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- Kentucky Exotic Pest Plant Council - Significant Threat
- National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- Ohio Invasive Species Council
- Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Lilianae |
| Order: Poales |
| Family: Poaceae |
| Subfamily: Pooideae |
| Tribe: Bromeae |
| Genus: Bromus |
| Bromus inermis |
Other System Links
Plants: BRIN2
Bayer: BROIN
GRIN: 7807
ITIS: 40502
NPDN Pest: PCAATBE
NPDN Host: 33074
Synonyms and Other Names
Other Common Names:
awnless brome, Hungarian bromegrass
Related Scientific Names:
Bromopsis inermis (Leyss.) Holub (Synonym)
Bromus inermis ssp. pumpellianus var. coloradensis (Vasey ex Beal) Kartesz & Gandhi (Synonym)
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.