poverty brome

Family

Poaceae

Scientific Name

Bromus sterilis

Other Common Names:

barren bromegrass

sterile brome

Synonyms (former Scientific Names):

Anisantha sterilis

Habit

Poverty brome is an upright annual that can reach up to 3 feet tall.

Leaves

Leaves of poverty brome are glabrous on both sides of the leaf and the leaf width is 2-4mm. The ligule is a large membrane which can be up to 2.5 mm tall.

Identifying Characteristics

Poverty brome can be recognized by the lack of hairs on the leaf and long awns on the seedhead.

Flower Seed Head

The seedhead of poverty brome is a panicle, approximately 4-8 inches tall. The spikelets usually have 5-7 flowers each and are up to 2 inches long, including the awn.

Seed Fruit

The seed of poverty brome is a caryopsis, a dry grain. The coverings of the seed are without hairs.

Where Found

Poverty brome is mainly a weed of disturbed habitats and can be found in meadows and pastures.

Leaf Hair on Upper Surface

hairs from base to tip

Leaf Arrangement

rolled in bud

Mature Leaf Width

less than 5 mm

Stem

flat or oval

Seedhead

panicle

Root Structure

fibrous

Life Cycle

winter annual

Auricle

not present

Ligule

membrane

Ligule Length

Varies:

1-2 mm,

2-3 mm

Plant Type

Grass