Madrid Brome
Bromus madritensis
Tufted few-leafed weedy grass up to 80 cm tall. Flat leaf blade, may be softly hairy or hairless. Dense soft flowerheads of purplish flowers with a strong bristle or awn up to 22 mm long which are a problem for livestock and native anaimals.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Flora Type | Grasses |
| Distinctive Features | Lax soft flowerhead is distinctive. |
| Biology | Annual introduced. Dry shallow rocky and sandy brown loam soils in disturbed sites where it is competitive. Has a shallow root system. Likes full sun and is susceptible to frost. Does not maintain a soil seed bank, but has early and uniform germination producing prolific seed. |
| Native Status | Introduced |
| Flowering Time | Sep-Nov |
| Taxonomy | |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants) |
| Class | Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants) |
| Order | Poales |
| Family | Poaceae |
| Genus | Bromus |
| Species | madritensis |
Introduced from southern Europe and is a common crop weed.The stiff sharp florets pose a threat to livestock and native fauna. May increase fire frequency and cause declines in native plant diversity.
| Interesting Facts | |
|---|---|
| Similar Species | Variable species, can be confused with the shorter more compact Red Brome B. rubens. |
| Native Status | Introduced |