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Hairy Brome Grass

Bromopsis ramosa

Bromopsis ramosa Bromopsis ramosa

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
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Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Poales
Family:
Poaceae (Grass)
Also in this family:
Alpine Catstail, Alpine Foxtail, Alpine Meadow-grass, Annual Beard-grass, Annual Meadow-grass, Arrow Bamboo, Barren Brome Grass, Bearded Couch Grass, Bearded Fescue, Bermuda Grass, Black Bent, Black Grass, Blue Fescue, Blue Moor-grass, Bog Hair-grass, Borrer's Saltmarsh Grass, Bread Wheat, Bristle Bent, Brown Bent, Brown Sedge, Bulbous Foxtail, Bulbous Meadow-grass, California Brome Grass, Canary Grass, Carnation Sedge, Cocksfoot, Cockspur, Common Bent, Common Cord-grass, Common Millet, Common Reed, Common Saltmarsh Grass, Compact Brome Grass, Corn, Couch Grass, Creeping Bent, Creeping Soft-grass, Crested Dog's-tail, Crested Hair-grass, Cultivated Oat, Curved Hard Grass, Cut Grass, Dense Silky Bent, Downy Oat-grass, Drooping Brome Grass, Drooping Tor Grass, Dune Fescue, Early Hair-grass, Early Meadow-grass, Early Sand-grass, False Brome Grass, False Oat-grass, Fern Grass, Fine-leaved Sheep's Fescue, Flattened Meadow-grass, Floating Sweet-grass, Foxtail Barley, French Oat, Giant Fescue, Glaucous Meadow-grass, Great Brome Grass, Greater Quaking Grass, Grey Hair-grass, Hairy Finger-grass, Hard Fescue, Hard Grass, Harestail Grass, Heath Grass, Holy Grass, Hybrid Marram Grass, Italian Rye Grass, Knotroot Bristlegrass, Lesser Hairy Brome Grass, Lesser Quaking Grass, Loose Silky Bent, Lyme Grass, Marram Grass, Marsh Foxtail, Mat Grass, Mat-grass Fescue, Meadow Barley, Meadow Fescue, Meadow Foxtail, Meadow Oat-grass, Mountain Melick, Narrow-leaved Meadow-grass, Narrow-leaved Small-reed, Neglected Couch Grass, Nit Grass, Orange Foxtail, Pampas Grass, Perennial Rye Grass, Plicate Sweet-grass, Purple Moor-grass, Purple Small-reed, Purple-stem Catstail, Quaking Grass, Ratstail Fescue, Red Fescue, Reed Canary Grass, Reed Sweet-grass, Reflexed Saltmarsh Grass, Rescue Grass, Rough Meadow-grass, Rush-leaved Fescue, Sand Catstail, Sand Couch Grass, Scandinavian Small-reed, Scottish Small-reed, Sea Barley, Sea Couch Grass, Sea Fern Grass, Sheep's Fescue, Silver Hair-grass, Six-rowed Barley, Slender Brome Grass, Small Cord-grass, Small Sweet-grass, Smaller Catstail, Smooth Brome Grass, Smooth Cord-grass, Smooth Finger-grass, Smooth Meadow-grass, Soft Brome Grass, Somerset Hair-grass, Sorghum, Spreading Meadow-grass, Squirreltail Fescue, Stiff Brome Grass, Stiff Saltmarsh Grass, Sweet Vernal Grass, Tall Fescue, Timothy Grass, Tor Grass, Tufted Hair-grass, Two-rowed Barley, Upright Brome Grass, Velvet Bent, Viviparous Fescue, Wall Barley, Wavy Hair-grass, Wavy Meadow-grass, Whorl Grass, Wild Oat, Wood Barley, Wood Fescue, Wood Meadow-grass, Wood Melick, Wood Millet, Yellow Oat-grass, Yorkshire Fog
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
120 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Grassland, hedgerows, meadows, walls, woodland.

Flower:
✿
Green, no petals
 
Hairy Brome Grass bears loose, drooping panicles of flower spikelets that bloom between June and August. Each spikelet contains several slender florets and is often tinged with purplish hues. The overall flowering head appears graceful and arching, nodding elegantly on long stalks in shaded woodland habitats.
Fruit:
The fruit is a typical grass caryopsis—small, dry grains that ripen in late summer. These are contained within the glumes of the spikelets and fall close to the parent plant, where they may contribute to the slow spread of the species in undisturbed woodland edges and hedgerows.
Leaves:
The leaves of Hairy Brome are soft, broad, and distinctly hairy on both surfaces, giving the plant a velvety texture to the touch. Leaf sheaths and nodes are also downy, helping distinguish it from other brome species. It grows in lax tufts and can reach heights of around 1–1.5 metres.
Fragrance:
This species has no strong scent while growing and is generally neutral in aroma. When cut and dried, it contributes mildly to the general grassy scent of hay but lacks any distinctive fragrance of its own.
Other Names:
Hairy Brome, Hairy Chess.
Frequency (UK):
Common  

Similar Species

Giant Fescue

Lesser Hairy Brome Grass

Other Information

Summary

Bromopsis ramosa, also known as hairy brome or hairy chess, is a perennial grass species native to Europe and Asia. It is a cool-season grass that can grow up to 1.2 meters tall. It has flat leaf blades and a seedhead that is about 20-30 cm long, composed of several long, narrow spikes that are densely hairy.

It prefers well-drained, loamy soils and is commonly found in grasslands, meadows, pastures and along roadsides. It can also be found in the edge of woods, in hedgebanks and along walls. It is able to tolerate a range of soil types but it grows best in moist, rich soils.

This grass species is relatively uncommon in cultivation, but it can be used as ornamental grass and can be grown in gardens and landscape. It is generally low maintenance and easy to grow. It can be propagated by seed or by dividing existing clumps.

It's a important food source for grazing animals, such as sheep and cattle, and it provides a valuable nectar source for pollinators. Additionally, it can be used as a cover crop and is considered to have potential as a biofuel crop.

Blog

Hairy Brome Grass, scientifically known as Bromopsis ramosa, is a grass species that belongs to the Poaceae family. It is native to Europe and Western Asia, and has now become naturalized in North America, where it is considered an invasive species. Hairy Brome Grass is a cool-season grass, meaning that it grows actively in the spring and fall, but becomes dormant during the hot summer months.

Appearance and Habitat

Hairy Brome Grass can grow up to 4 feet tall and has long, narrow leaves that are hairy on the upper surface. Its stems are also hairy, which gives the plant its name. The flowers of Hairy Brome Grass are arranged in spikes and are typically green to purple in color. The plant prefers to grow in dry, disturbed areas such as roadsides, fields, and waste places. It can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, but grows best in soils that are rich in nutrients.

Impact as an Invasive Species

Hairy Brome Grass is considered an invasive species in many parts of North America, particularly in the western United States. It has the ability to outcompete native grasses and plants, reducing biodiversity and altering ecosystems. Hairy Brome Grass is a prolific seed producer and its seeds can remain viable in the soil for many years, allowing the plant to quickly spread and establish new populations.

Management and Control

Managing and controlling Hairy Brome Grass can be challenging due to its ability to rapidly spread and establish new populations. Some effective control methods include mechanical removal, such as mowing or tilling, and the use of herbicides. It is important to carefully follow the label instructions when using herbicides to ensure that they are used safely and effectively.

Prevention is also an important aspect of controlling invasive species like Hairy Brome Grass. This can be achieved by avoiding the introduction and spread of the plant by taking measures such as cleaning equipment and vehicles that may carry the seeds.

Hairy Brome Grass is an invasive grass species that can have negative impacts on ecosystems by outcompeting native plants and reducing biodiversity. Effective management and control measures are important to prevent the spread of this plant and protect natural ecosystems. By following best management practices and taking preventative measures, we can help to minimize the impact of invasive species like Hairy Brome Grass.

Hairy Brome Grass was introduced to North America in the late 1800s as a forage crop, and has since spread rapidly, particularly in the western United States. The plant is well-adapted to dry and disturbed areas, and can quickly establish itself in areas that have been disturbed by human activities such as road construction, logging, or agriculture.

The invasive nature of Hairy Brome Grass is due in part to its ability to produce large quantities of seeds, which can remain viable in the soil for many years. The seeds are also easily transported by wind, water, and animals, which allows the plant to quickly establish new populations in different areas.

In addition to its negative impact on biodiversity, Hairy Brome Grass can also have economic impacts, particularly in the agricultural sector. The plant is often considered a weed, as it can reduce crop yields and interfere with the growth of desirable plants.

Effective management and control of Hairy Brome Grass requires a multi-pronged approach. Mechanical removal, such as mowing or tilling, can be effective in reducing the plant's biomass and preventing seed production. However, this method can be labor-intensive and may not be effective in all situations.

The use of herbicides can also be effective in controlling Hairy Brome Grass, but it is important to carefully follow label instructions and use them safely and responsibly. In some cases, the use of biological control agents, such as insects or pathogens, may also be effective in controlling invasive plant species like Hairy Brome Grass.

Prevention is also an important aspect of controlling invasive species like Hairy Brome Grass. This can be achieved by avoiding the introduction and spread of the plant by taking measures such as cleaning equipment and vehicles that may carry the seeds.

Hairy Brome Grass is an invasive species that can have negative impacts on biodiversity and agriculture. Effective management and control measures are important to prevent the spread of this plant and protect natural ecosystems. By following best management practices and taking preventative measures, we can help to minimize the impact of invasive species like Hairy Brome Grass.

One of the challenges of controlling Hairy Brome Grass is that it can quickly establish itself in disturbed areas, making prevention of its spread a critical part of management efforts. Land managers can help prevent the spread of Hairy Brome Grass by carefully monitoring areas that are at high risk for invasion, such as recently disturbed sites or areas adjacent to existing infestations.

Another approach to controlling Hairy Brome Grass is to promote the growth of desirable native plant species. This can be achieved through the use of restoration techniques such as seeding, planting, or prescribed burning. By restoring native plant communities, managers can reduce the opportunities for invasive species to become established and help maintain healthy ecosystems.

It's also worth noting that Hairy Brome Grass is not the only invasive plant species that threatens ecosystems in North America. There are many other invasive plant species that have negative impacts on biodiversity, agriculture, and other important aspects of natural systems. It's important for land managers, policymakers, and the public to work together to address the complex challenges posed by invasive species and develop effective strategies for their control and management.

In conclusion, Hairy Brome Grass is an invasive species that can have negative impacts on ecosystems and agriculture in North America. Effective management and control measures are important to prevent the spread of this plant and protect natural ecosystems. Preventative measures, restoration techniques, and collaboration between stakeholders are key to addressing the challenges posed by invasive species and promoting healthy ecosystems for future generations.

Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map