Bromes
What are they?
There are many species of bromes to be found in New Jersey, but all of those so far recorded in Cape May County are introduced from Europe, with a couple from other parts of the world. This is a rather variable genus of grasses and most taxonomists now split them into several different genera - though North American guides generally still have an older system of lumping them all under the name Bromus.
Where are they found?
The Bromes are common and widespread grasses of open, mostly disturbed ground, field edges and roadsides.
Identification
Bromes (also known as chess or cheat grasses) may be annual or perennial, and most tend to have rather open heads, each flower spikelet carried on the end of a relatively long stem. Anisantha species tend to have long awns on the flowers while Bromopsis species have shorter awns, but still rather open heads. Species identification is covered under the individual species.
Hungarian Brome Bromopsis inermis
(Smooth Brome) Introduced from Europe. A grass of established, grassy places which may crop up in old fields, hedge bottoms and roadsides. Flowers June to August. Flower spikes rather narrow, dense and stiff. Flowers with rather short awns.
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Great Brome Anisantha diandra
(Ripgut Brome) Introduced from Europe. An uncommon grass of field edges and disturbed waste ground. Flowers May to June. Flower spike open and spikelets long and narrow with long awns. Central stem of flower spike (called the rachis) very hairy.
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spike hairy |
Barren Brome Anisantha sterilis
(Poverty Brome) Introduced from Europe. A weedy grass of waste places and disturbed ground. Often forms quite extensive stands in dry ground in urban areas. Flowers May to July. Flower spike open and spikelets long and narrow with long awns. Central stem of flower spike (called the rachis) hairless or with just a few hairs. Flowers smaller than Great Brome.
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Dooping Brome Anisantha tectorum
(Downy Chess, Cheatgrass) Introduced from Europe and a common, often abundant, weed of waste places and other disturbed, open areas. Flowers April to July. Often forms large stands of low plants on bare, open, usually dry ground. Flower spikes erect at first but soon drooping over. Flowers with long awns.
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Field Brome Bromus arvensis
Introduced from Europe and a common grass of waste places and other disturbed, open areas. Flowers May to July. A rather small species compared with some other bromes, particularly when found growing in very dry locations. Lower leaf blades and leaf sheaths are very hairy but upper third of plant smooth.
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Soft Brome Bromus hordeaceus
(Soft Chess) Introduced from Europe and now a common, often abundant, weed of waste places and other disturbed, open areas. Flowers May to July. A highly variable species, being anything from four inches high with a single flower spikelet, to three feet tall according to growing conditions. Despite this variability, usually easily recognized by its flower head shape and its overall hairiness.
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Smooth Brome Bromus racemosus
(Bald Brome) Introduced from Europe and now a fairly common weed of waste places and other disturbed, open areas. Flowers May to July.
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