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hairy brome
Scientific Name: Bromus ramosus
Family: Poaceae
Category: Monocot
Growth: Graminoid
Duration: Perennial
Other Names:
Hairy Brome (Bromus ramosus)
Hairy brome, also known as wood brome, cheat grass, or chess, is a tufted and erect grass species, typically reaching up to 150 cm in height. Older texts may refer to it as Bromus ramosus, but it is now also known as Bromopsis ramosa.
Considerations for Pets and Children
- This grass has hairy leaves and stalks.
- Children have been observed stripping branches off the culm of Bromus ramosus and using the thin end to make running nooses.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Bromus ramosus Huds. (also known as Bromopsis ramosa (Huds.) Holub)
- Common Names: Hairy Brome, Wood Brome, Cheat Grass, Chess
- Family: Poaceae (or Gramineae) - the grass family
- Synonyms: Zerna ramosa (Huds.) Lindm.
- Subordinate Taxa:
- Bromus ramosus ssp. benekii (Lesser Hairy Brome), also known as Bromopsis benekenii (Lange) Holub
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to Europe, northwest Africa, and southwest Asia.
- Common in the UK.
- Found in woodlands on rich soils and in hedges and shady lanes.
Morphological Characteristics
- Grows tufted and erect up to 150 cm tall.
- Leaves are broad (6 to 16 mm), drooping, and hairy.
- Stems are erect and hairy.
- Features loose, nodding panicles 15 to 40 cm long.
- Perennial plant reaching heights of up to 1.8m with flowers that are 2cm.
Additional Brome Information
- Soft brome (Bromus hordeaceus) and meadow brome (Bromus commutatus) are related species.
- Soft brome's name refers to the silky touch of the seed head.
Further Information
- RHS: Find help & information on Bromus ramosus hairy brome from the RHS.
- Discover Life: Discover Life’s page about the biology, natural history, ecology, identification and distribution of Bromus ramosus.