Terri Whaley, Invaders of Texas

Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)

Synonym(s): Bromus japonicus

Duration: Annual

Habit: Grass/Grasslike

Listed by:
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US: 1
Federal Noxious Weed: 0
TDA Noxious Weed: 0
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species: 0

Description: Field brome is a winter annual. It produces dense, low leafy growth in the fall. Spring growth starts earlier than most other annual grasses used for cover crops. It does not have creeping stolons or rhizomes. It produces seedheads in late spring or early summer. Culms solitary. Culms erect ascending; 25-90 cm long; 2-8 -noded. Leaf-sheaths pubescent. Leaf-blades 5-20 cm long; 2-6(-10) mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; pilose. Inflorescence a panicle 8-25 cm long; 6-20 cm wide. 1-8 fertile spikelets on each lower branch. Spikelets solitary.It grows vigorously under high fertility and often smothers other grasses or weeds. It is an excellent seed producer and can maintain itself as a reseeding annual. There are 250,000 seeds per pound.

History: Mainly used for erosion control and soil improvement.

Biology & Spread: Distribution that has been shaped by human movements both within and between continents.

Ecological Threat: This plant may become weedy or invasive in some regions or habitats and may displace desirable vegetation if not properly managed. It grows vigorously under high fertility and often smothers other grasses or weeds. It is an excellent seed producer and can maintain itself as a reseeding annual. There are 250,000 seeds per pound.

US Habitat: Dry habitats, such as roadsides, waste places on sandy or rocky soils.

Distribution

US Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: Europe and Asia.

US States: AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY

Resembles/Alternatives:

Management:

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Listing Source

Texas Department ofAgriculture Noxious Plant List
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prohibited Exotic Species
Invaders Program
Federal Noxious Weed
Union of Concerned Scientists
United States Forest Service Southern Research Station

Text References

Clayton, W.D., K.T. Harman, and H. Williamson. 2008. GrassBase - The Online World Grass Flora. http://www.kew.org/data/grasses-db.html. Accessed 08 November 2006.

Oja, T., V. Jaaska, and V. Vislap. 2003. Breeding system, evolution and taxonomy of Bromus arvensis, B. japonicus and B. squarrosus (Poaceae). Plant Systematics and Evolution 242:101-117.

Roy J., Navas M. L., Sonie L. 1991. Invasions by annual bromegrasses: a case study challenging thehomoclime approach to invasions. In: Grove R. N., di Castri F. (eds.) Biogeography of Mediterranean invasions. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp. 205-221.

Stebbins G. L. 1981. Chromosomes and evolution in the genus Bromus (Gramineae). Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 102: 359-379.

Data Source

USDA PLANT FACT SHEET

Last Updated: 2008-11-17 by DEW