Bromus hordeaceus

Bromus hordeaceus
File:Zachte dravik in bloei Bromus mollis.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Bromus
Species:	B. hordeaceus
Binomial name
Bromus hordeaceus L.
Synonyms
Bromus mollis

Bromus hordeaceus, soft brome, is an annual or biennial species of grass in the true grass family (Poaceae). It is also known in North America as bull grass, soft cheat, and soft chess.

It is the most common species of Bromus in Britain, where it can be found on roadsides, waste ground, meadows, and cultivated land. It is found throughout Europe and western Asia, and was introduced into North and South America and Australia.

Synonyms of the species name include Bromus mollis and B. thominii.

Description

The plant is hairy all over. It can grow between 10 and 100 cm high, sometimes in tufts, sometimes singly. The culms have between 2 and 5 nodes. The leaves are grey-green. The ligules are 2.5 mm high and flat but toothed. The panicles are up to 16 cm long and grey-green to purple. The spikelets have awns. It flowers from May until July.

Subspecies

• Bromus hordeaceus ssp. ferronii – least soft brome
• Bromus hordeaceus ssp. hordeaceus
• Bromus hordeaceus ssp. molliformis
• Bromus hordeaceus ssp. pseudothominii
• Bromus hordeaceus ssp. thominei – lesser soft brome

External links

• Jepson Manual Treatment
• USDA Plants Profile
• UCD IPM Weeds Gallery
• Forest Service Fire Ecology
• Photo gallery