smooth brome

Bromus inermis Leyss.

Description from Invasive.org

Appearance
Bromus inermis is a perennial grass that is 1-3.5 ft. (0.3-1.1 m) tall.
Foliage
The leaves have a fine texture and are alternate, 0.25-0.75 in. (0.6-1.9 cm) wide, 6-15 in. (15.2-38.1 cm) long, glabrous, flat, and grayish blue on the upper surface and green on the lower surface.
Flowers
Flowers are contained in drooping panicles and appear in early to mid-summer. Each branch of the inflorescence has several purplish spikelets, each containing 7-10 flowers. Flowers, when in bloom, are yellow in color.
Fruit
Seeds are brown and are produced in 4-8 in. (10.2-20.3 cm) long panicles on ascending branches of the flower head. The seed period occurs in summer.
Ecological Threat
This grass prefers sunny areas along roadsides and also in fields, pastures and prairies. Bromus inermis is a native of Europe and was introduced into the United States in the late 1800’s.

General Description:Bromus inermis is a deeply rooting, rhizomatous perennial grass.

Diagnostic Characteristics: The ascending or stiff branches of the open panicle are a key characteristic distinguishing Bromus inermis and Bromus erectus from a group of similar native bromegrasses. The awnless lemmas, from which the species derives its Latin name, distinguish Bromus inermis from both the introduced and similar Bromus erectus and from the native Bromus pumpellianus.

Resources

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org


Plant(s) in habitat
Robert Vidéki, Doronicum Kft., Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Stem(s)
Ohio State Weed Lab , The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
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Stem(s)
Ohio State Weed Lab , The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
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Stem(s) collar and sheath.
Joseph M. DiTomaso, University of California - Davis, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s)
John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s) Impetuous anthers
John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s)
John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s) Full view of panicle
John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s) close-up of inflorescence
Dave Powell, USDA Forest Service (retired), Bugwood.org
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Seed(s)
Bruce Ackley, The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

Distribution