cheatgrass

Family

Poaceae

Scientific Name

Bromus tectorum

Other Common Names:

cheat

downy brome

early chess

military grass

thatch bromegrass

Synonyms (former Scientific Names):

Bromus tectorum var. glabratus

Bromus tectorum var. hirsutus

Bromus tectorum var. nudus

Anisantha tectorum

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.