SafePlants

Soft Brome (Bromus hordeaceus)

Soft Brome, also known as soft chess or bull grass in North America, is a common annual or biennial grass found in various habitats. Its scientific name is Bromus hordeaceus, belonging to the true grass family (Poaceae).

Considerations for Pets

• The plant has awns (bristle-like appendages) on its seed heads.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Bromus hordeaceus
• Common Names: Soft Brome, Soft Chess, Bull Grass
• Family: Poaceae (True Grass Family)
• Rank: Species
• Subspecies: Bromus hordeaceus subsp. hordeaceus, Bromus hordeaceus ssp. molliformis
• Synonyms: Bromus mollis (though some sources differentiate this)

Distribution and Habitat

• Native to Eurasia, particularly the Mediterranean region.
• Naturalized in all continents except Antarctica.
• Common throughout the UK.
• Found in roadside verges, waste grounds, meadows, cultivated ground, open disturbed areas, and dunes.

Morphological Characteristics

• Annual or biennial grass, tufted in form.
• Grows from 30cm to 80cm in height.
• Stems are bent at the nodes and may be hairy, especially compared to Meadow Brome.
• Leaves are flat, up to 12 cm long and 6 mm wide, and softly hairy.
• Panicle is erect, 5 to 10 cm long, usually with many ovoid-conical tapering spikelets (10 to 25 mm long).
• Seed head has a silky touch and contains soft awns.

Ecological Role

• Often found in cultivated areas where the soil is open and frequently disturbed.
• Can be considered an arable weed.

Quirky Facts

• The name "Soft Brome" refers to the silky touch of the seed head.

Additional Information

• Can be mistaken for other brome species such as Meadow Brome (Bromus commutatus) and Rye Brome (Bromus secalinus).