field brome
Family
PoaceaeScientific Name
Bromus arvensisSynonyms (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.
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