soft brome
Family
PoaceaeScientific Name
Bromus hordeaceusOther 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