field brome

Family

Poaceae

Scientific Name

Bromus arvensis

Synonyms (former Scientific Names):

Bromus japonicus

Bromus anatolicus

Bromus japonicus var. anatolicus

Bromus patulus

Bromus japonicus var. porrectus

Habit

Field brome is an upright annual with culms that can reach up to 3 feet tall.

Leaves

Leaves of field brome are glabrous to slightly pubescent on both sides and are thin, less than a quarter of an inch broad.

Identifying Characteristics

Field brome is a winter annual. It produces dense, low leafy growth in the fall. Spring growth starts earlier than most other annual grasses used for cover crops. It does not have creeping stolons or rhizomes, but tillers profusely.The principal characteristics that make it an outstanding cover crop are the extensive fibrous root system and the relatively short top growth. It is winter hardy in northeast and north central regions. It grows vigorously under high fertility and often smothers other grasses or weeds. It is an excellent seed producer and can maintain itself as a reseeding annual. There are 250,000 seeds per pound.

Flower Seed Head

Inflorescence is a drooping panicle, 4-12 inches long,

Seed Fruit

It produces seedheads in late spring or early summer. Seed stalks are 2 to 3 feet tall.

Where Found

Field brome does best on medium textured soils that are moderately well-drained to well-drained. It has done well in lowlands subject to flooding and on sloping, gravelly soils. The most suitable pH range is between 6.0 and 7.0. Field brome can be found throughout the United States.