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Weed Identification

soft brome

Family

Poaceae

Scientific Name

Bromus hordeaceus

Other Common Names:

soft cheat
soft chess

Habit

Soft brome is a winter annual that reaches up to 1.5 feet tall. This grass is not always erect, it can sometimes have a prostrate growth habit.

Leaves

Leaves of this grass are between 2-6mm wide and can vary between glabrous or sparsely hairy. However, the leaf sheaths, particularly on the lower part of the plant, will be densely hairy.

Identifying Characteristics

Soft brome is recognizable by its growth habit, hairy leaf sheaths, and hairs on the seed covering.

Flower Seed Head

The seed head of this grass is a dense panicle that is 1-4 inches long. The branches of the seeded are shorter than the spikelets.

Seed Fruit

The seeds of soft brome are singular dry grain, that is 1/4in wide and has a tuft of hair at the tip of the seed.

Where Found

Soft brome can be a weed in fields or other cultivated areas but prefers undisturbed sites.

Leaf Hair on Upper Surface

Varies: 
no hairs
hairs on basal half only

Leaf Arrangement

rolled in bud

Mature Leaf Width

Varies: 
less than 5 mm
6 to 15 mm

Stem

flat or oval

Seedhead

panicle

Root Structure

fibrous

Life Cycle

winter annual

Auricle

not present

Ligule

membrane

Ligule Length

Varies: 
less than 1 mm
1-2 mm

Plant Type

Grass