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Lesser Hairy Brome Grass

Bromopsis benekenii

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 Brome Grass, Hairy Finger-grass, Hard Fescue, Hard Grass, Harestail Grass, Heath Grass, Holy Grass, Hybrid Marram Grass, Italian Rye Grass, Knotroot Bristlegrass, 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, rocky places, scrub, woodland.

Flower:
֍
Green, no petals
 
Drooping flower clusters. The flowers are less spreading than the similar looking Hairy Brome (Bromopsis ramosa).
Fruit:
The fruit is a caryopsis which is a type of dry, one-seeded fruit common to all grasses.
Leaves:
A perennial grass, similar to Hairy Brome (Bromopsis ramosa) but shorter.
Other Names:
Beneken's Brome.
Frequency (UK):
Unusual  

Similar Species

Hairy Brome Grass
Hairy Brome Grass

Other Information

Summary

Bromopsis benekenii, also known as Beneken's brome, is a species of grass in the genus Bromopsis. It is a perennial grass that is native to Central Asia and Europe and can be found in a wide range of habitats, including meadows, grasslands, and rocky or gravelly areas. It forms dense clumps of narrow leaves and can grow to a height of 2 to 4 feet. The plant produces spikes of small, greenish-brown flowers in the summer.

It is considered as a good forage plant for livestock and wild animals, often grown as a component of grassland mixtures for forage production. It also has been used for soil conservation, erosion control, and other land management purposes. In some regions, it is considered invasive and can outcompete native species, so its planting and spreading should be carefully monitored.

Blog

Introduction

Lesser Hairy Brome Grass (Bromopsis benekenii) is a perennial grass species that belongs to the Poaceae family. This grass species is native to Europe and Asia, and it has been introduced to North America, where it has become an invasive species. It is commonly found in disturbed areas such as roadsides, agricultural lands, and waste areas. Lesser Hairy Brome Grass is a problematic species, as it can outcompete native plants and reduce biodiversity. In this blog, we will discuss the characteristics, distribution, and management of Lesser Hairy Brome Grass.

Characteristics

Lesser Hairy Brome Grass can grow up to 3 feet tall, and it has hair-like structures on the leaves and stems, which gives it a hairy appearance. The leaves are narrow, and the flowers are arranged in spikelets, which are about 1 inch long. The flowers are green, turning yellowish-brown as they mature. The seeds are small and have a hook-like structure, which allows them to attach to clothing or animal fur, aiding in their dispersal.

Distribution

As mentioned earlier, Lesser Hairy Brome Grass is native to Europe and Asia. However, it has been introduced to North America, where it is considered an invasive species. In North America, it is commonly found in the western United States and in Canada. Lesser Hairy Brome Grass prefers dry, open habitats, and it is commonly found in disturbed areas such as roadsides, agricultural lands, and waste areas.

Management

The management of Lesser Hairy Brome Grass can be challenging, as it is a persistent species that can quickly spread and outcompete native plants. Here are some management strategies that can be employed:

  1. Prevention: Prevention is the best strategy for managing invasive species. It is important to prevent the introduction and spread of Lesser Hairy Brome Grass by cleaning equipment, clothing, and vehicles before entering or leaving an infested area.

  2. Mechanical Control: Hand pulling or mowing can be used to control Lesser Hairy Brome Grass. However, it is important to note that hand pulling is only effective for small infestations, and mowing should be done before the seeds mature.

  3. Chemical Control: Herbicides can be used to control Lesser Hairy Brome Grass. However, it is important to use herbicides that are specifically labeled for this species and to follow the label instructions carefully.

  4. Restoration: Restoration of the affected area can be done by planting native plant species, which can outcompete Lesser Hairy Brome Grass.

Ecological Impacts

Lesser Hairy Brome Grass can have significant ecological impacts. It can outcompete native plant species, reduce biodiversity, and alter ecosystem processes. This species can also change soil conditions and nutrient cycling, which can further impact the ecosystem. In addition, Lesser Hairy Brome Grass provides poor habitat and forage for wildlife, which can further impact the food chain.

Identification

Lesser Hairy Brome Grass can be identified by its hairy appearance, narrow leaves, and spikelets that are about 1 inch long. The flowers are green and turn yellowish-brown as they mature. The seeds have a hook-like structure, which allows them to attach to clothing or animal fur.

Similar Species

There are several similar species to Lesser Hairy Brome Grass, including Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), Japanese Brome (Bromus japonicus), and Downy Brome (Bromus tectorum). These species can be difficult to differentiate, and it is important to use a combination of morphological, ecological, and distributional characteristics to correctly identify the species.

Uses

Lesser Hairy Brome Grass has no known uses, and it is considered a problematic species. However, some research has shown that it may have allelopathic properties, which means that it can release chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plant species.

Climate Tolerance

Lesser Hairy Brome Grass is well adapted to dry and arid conditions, and it can tolerate a range of temperatures. It is commonly found in regions with hot summers and cold winters, such as the western United States and Canada.

Reproduction

Lesser Hairy Brome Grass reproduces by seed, and the seeds have a hook-like structure that allows them to attach to clothing or animal fur, aiding in their dispersal. The seeds can remain viable in the soil for several years, which can make management challenging.

Control

The control of Lesser Hairy Brome Grass can be challenging, as it is a persistent species that can quickly spread and outcompete native plants. Successful management of this species often requires a combination of prevention, mechanical control, chemical control, and restoration. It is important to use management strategies that are specific to the site and to follow label instructions carefully when using herbicides.

Research

There is ongoing research on Lesser Hairy Brome Grass and its ecological impacts. Some research has focused on the allelopathic properties of this species, while others have examined the interactions between Lesser Hairy Brome Grass and other plant species. Understanding the ecological impacts of this species and developing effective management strategies is critical for protecting our ecosystems and preserving biodiversity.

Conclusion

Lesser Hairy Brome Grass is an invasive species that can have significant ecological impacts. It is important to prevent the introduction and spread of this species and to implement effective management strategies. Ongoing research on this species can help us better understand its ecological impacts and develop more effective management strategies. By working together, we can protect our ecosystems and preserve biodiversity.

Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map