Smooth Brome
(Bromus inermis)
Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis)
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Tatiana Strus
CC BY 4.0
Image By:
Tatiana Strus
Recorded By:
Copyright:
CC BY 4.0
Copyright Notice:
Photo by: Tatiana Strus | License Type: CC BY 4.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ | Rights Holder: Tatiana Strus | Publisher: iNaturalist | Date Created: 2020-08-13T11:52:54-07:00 |
























Estimated Native Range
Summary
Bromus inermis, commonly known as smooth brome, is a perennial, rhizomatous grass originally native to much of Europe and Western Asia. It has been introduced to North America, where it has become invasive in many areas, particularly in grasslands and prairies. Smooth brome typically grows 18 to 36 inches tall and forms dense sod. It initiates growth in early spring, with a flowering period from May to July, producing open, airy panicles of flowers that are not particularly showy.
Smooth brome is valued for its use in erosion control and as forage for livestock due to its dense growth habit and ability to form a sod. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soils but is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. Smooth brome requires moderate water and can spread aggressively through its rhizomes, which can be a concern in naturalized areas where it may outcompete native species. In cultivation, it is often used for pasture, hay, and soil stabilization projects. Due to its invasive nature, it is not recommended for ornamental use in areas where it can escape cultivation and disrupt local ecosystems.CC BY-SA 4.0
Smooth brome is valued for its use in erosion control and as forage for livestock due to its dense growth habit and ability to form a sod. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers well-drained soils but is tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions. Smooth brome requires moderate water and can spread aggressively through its rhizomes, which can be a concern in naturalized areas where it may outcompete native species. In cultivation, it is often used for pasture, hay, and soil stabilization projects. Due to its invasive nature, it is not recommended for ornamental use in areas where it can escape cultivation and disrupt local ecosystems.CC BY-SA 4.0
Plant Description
- Plant Type: Grass
- Height: 1.5-4 feet
- Width: 1.5-2.5 feet
- Growth Rate: Moderate, Rapid
- Flower Color: N/A
- Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
- Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Growth Requirements
- Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water: Low, Medium
- Drainage: Fast, Medium, Slow
Common Uses
Deer Resistant, Erosion Control, Low Maintenance, Rabbit Resistant
Natural Habitat
Originally native to much of Europe and Western Asia, invasive in North American grasslands and prairies
Other Names
Common Names: Smooth Brome, Awlless Brome, Hungarian Brome, Hungarian Brome Grass, Russian Brome
Scientific Names: , Bromus inermis, Bromopsis australis, Bromopsis inermis, Bromopsis inermis subsp. aristata, Bromopsis inermis subsp. australis, Bromopsis inermis subsp. australis, Bromopsis inermis subsp. reimannii, Bromopsis inermis var. aristata, Bromopsis inermis var. hirta
GBIF Accepted Name: