Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool

rye brome

Bromus secalinus

L.

Taxon, Habit: Plant, Graminoid, Grass

Habitat: Terrestrial

U.S. Nativity: Introduced

Species Synonym(s): None

Common Name(s): rye brome, bromegrass, cheat, chess, chess brome, ryebrome

Family: Poaceae (Grass Family)

Family Synonym(s): None

Native Range (GRIN):

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Plant

Bruce Ackley, The Ohio State University

Stem

Bruce Ackley, The Ohio State University

Seed

Bruce Ackley, The Ohio State University

Seed

Bruce Ackley, The Ohio State University

Description

Appearance
Bromus secalinus is an annual grass that can grow from 17.7-39.4 in (45-100 cm) tall. It is native to Africa, temperate Asia, and parts of Europe. It has been introduced to Australia, North America, Hawaii, and South America.
Foliage
The erect central culm is unbranched with 4-8 leaves alternate along the its length. The medium green leaf blades are about 0.3 in (7 mm) across and 9 in (23 cm) long.
Flowers
The flower is an open panicle of spikelets up to 7 in (18 cm) long and 4 in (10 cm) across. The branches of the panicle are either bilateral or droop to one side and are organized along the central axis.
Fruit
The seeds are large grains that are linear-oblongoid in shape.
Ecological Threat
B. secalinus is seen invading disturbed areas such as dry prairies, limestone glades, disturbed grassy meadows, vacant lots, abandoned fields, cropland, areas along railroads, and waste areas. It is weedy and aggressive.

Uses

Landscape Ornamental Use (GRIN): No

All Uses (GRIN): Fodder, Potential seed contaminant

Distribution Map (EDDMapS)

Wetland Indicator

Summary: rye brome (Bromus secalinus) is a Terrestrial species.

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain (AGCP):

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain regions

No Data

Eastern Mountains and Piedmont (EMP):

Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Mountain regions

No Data

Northcentral and Northeast (NCNE):

Northern parts of PA and NJ (and beyond)

No Data


Legend (data from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

OBL (Obligate wetland): Almost always occurs in wetlands (estimated probability > 99%) under natural conditions

FACW (Facultative wetland): Usually occurs in wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in non-wetlands

FAC (Facultative): Equally likely to occur in wetlands (estimated probability 34% - 66%) or non-wetlands

FACU (Facultative upland): Usually occur in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1% - 33%)

UPL (Obligate upland): Occur almost always (estimated probability > 99%) in non-wetlands under natural conditions

Taxonomic Rank

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Subclass: Commelinidae
Order: Cyperales
Family: Poaceae
Genus: Bromus
Subject: Bromus secalinus L.