bald brome
Family
PoaceaeScientific Name
Bromus racemosusSynonyms (former Scientific Names):
Bromus commutatus
Bromus popovii
Bromus commutatus var. apricorum
Habit
Bald brome is an upright-growing grass that can grow to 3 feet tall.
Leaves
Leaves are 3-6 mm wide and are pubescent on both sides. The culms of bald brome are without hairs but the leaf sheath is hairy with the hairs growing upwards. The ligule is membranous and can grow up to 2mm.
Identifying Characteristics
Bald brome is recognizable by the pubescence on the leaf and hairs on the sheath growing backwards. The drooping panicle at maturity is another character that will help distinguish bald brome.
Flower Seed Head
The seed head of bald brome is a panicle that is 4-8 inches long. The panicle is upright at first but begins to droop once it is mature.
Seed Fruit
The fruit of bald brome is a caryopsis, or dry grain. The spikelets have 5-10 seeds each.
Where Found
Bald brome is mainly a weed of disturbed areas and pastures.
Leaf Hair on Upper Surface
hairs from base to tip
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