cheatgrass
Family
PoaceaeScientific Name
Bromus tectorumOther Common Names:
early chess
downy brome
military grass
thatch bromegrass
cheat
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Bromus tectorum var. nudus
Bromus tectorum var. hirsutus
Anisantha tectorum
Bromus tectorum var. glabratus
Habit
Seeds germinate in early to mid spring and again late summer to mid autumn. Downy brome flowers in late spring to early summer
Leaves
Leaves have a membranous ligule that is lightly fringed at the top. They have a characteristic spiral twisting and soft, short dense hairs on both front and back sides of the leaf. They do not have auricles. The sheath is rounded and hairy with pinkish veins.
Identifying Characteristics
The most distinctive characteristic about downy brome are the spiraling hairy leaves.
Flower Seed Head
The spikelets have 3-8 flowers each with a long awn. The seed head droops and is dense and soft with a purplish color.
Seed Fruit
Seeds are yellow to reddish brown. If the lemma is still attached the seeds have a long awn attached.
Where Found
The plant typically grows in dry aeas with sandy or gravelly soil. It is common in turf, gardens, flowerbeds, nurseries, and sometimes agronomic crops.
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:
none,
less than 1 mm
Plant Type
Grass