SafePlants

Pacific Brome (Bromus pacificus)

Considerations for Pets

• This plant is a grass, and grasses, in general, may pose a risk if ingested in large quantities by pets, potentially leading to digestive upset.

Considerations for Children

• This plant is a grass, and grasses, in general, may pose a risk if ingested in large quantities by children, potentially leading to digestive upset.

Common Names

• Pacific Brome

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Bromus pacificus
• Genus: Bromus
• Species: pacificus
• Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
• Synonym: Bromopsis pacifica

Distribution and Habitat

• Pacific Brome occurs mainly along the Pacific Coast.
• It is native to the Pacific Northwest of the USA.

Ecological Role

• Slender false brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum) is considered highly invasive in the Pacific Northwest, rapidly expanding in western Oregon.
• Downy brome (Bromus tectorum) is a major weed problem in winter wheat, especially in low-rainfall areas of the Pacific Northwest.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Pacific Brome provides good cover for wildlife.
• California brome is described as a large, leafy, short-lived bunchgrass with strong seedling vigor.
• Smooth Bromegrass is a long-lived sod-forming grass.
• Meadow Brome is a long-lived perennial bunchgrass.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Downy brome root growth can be reduced by certain pseudomonads.
• Competition between downy brome and winter wheat can cause economic losses.

Further Information

• Discover Life has a page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Bromus pacificus.