Prairie Grass

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Prairie Grass - Paul Gullan/Viridans Images

Bromus catharticus


Densely tufted introduced grass to 100 cm tall with flat rough leaves. The flattened flowerheads are large and wide with 6-12 relatively large individual flowers (florets) up to 20 mm long.


Details
Flora Type
Grasses
Distinctive Features

Flowerheads are large, containing dense flower clusters, and have a nodding appearance. The seedheads lack the bristle or awn characteristic of Bromes, or if present it is much reduced.

Biology

Perennial. Occurs over a wide environmental range however is most abundant in cooler, wetter sites. Rarely invades undisturbed plant communities.

Native Status
Introduced
Flowering Time

Sep-Dec

Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Poales
Family
Poaceae
Genus
Bromus
Species
catharticus

Introduced to Australia from South America as a pasture grass because of its feed quality and ability to grow in cooler times of the year. Has not persisted in pasture but is now widespread as a weed in temperate Australia.


Interesting Facts
Similar Species

Similar to Short Brome B. brevis and to B. catharticusÃ_var.Ã_rupestris which is softly hairy and has a bluish appreance and has shorter more compact flowerheads.

Native Status
Introduced