Downy brome Bromus tectorum L.
Family: Poaceae (Grass family)
Life cycle: Annual (winter)
Native status: Introduced
Habitat: pastures, no-till fields, small grains, rangelan
General description: Leaves are up to 10 inches long, plants reach height of 2 feet. Both surfaces of leaves and sheaths are covered with short, soft, dense hairs. Young leaves are twisted. Membranous ligule. Fused leaf sheath. Seedhead is a dropping, soft (often purplish) panicle. Spikelets have long awns (up to 0.7 inch long). Flowers in April to May.
Key ID traits: Dense, soft hairs on leaves and stems. Sheath is fused rather than overlapping.
Similar species: Cheat or chess (Bromus secalinus) has similar growth habit but leaves and sheaths are smooth or with few hairs.
Miscellaneous: Native to Mediterranean region. Frequently found in overgrazed pastures since animals avoid downy brome due to sharp awns that can cause mechanical injury to mouth and digestive tracts. A serious invasive plant of western rangeland that increases risks of wildfires since it matures in spring and the dead plants are a fire hazard during dry summers.
Meaghan Anderson Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist in central Iowa and an extension field specialist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Educational programming is available for farmers, agribusinesses, pesticide applicators, certified crop advisors, and other individuals interested in...