Bromus commutatus

Meadow Brome
A panicle of Bromus commutatus Schrad.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Bromus
Species:	B. commutatus
Binomial name
Bromus commutatus Schrad.
Synonyms
Brachypodium commutatum (Schrad.) P. Beauv. Bromus commutatus var. apricorum Simonkai Bromus hordeaceus L. var. commutatus (Schrad.) Fiori Bromus mollis L. var. commutatus (Schrad.) Sanio Bromus mutabilis F. W. Schultz var. commutatus (Schrad.) F. W. Schultz Bromus racemosus L. commutatus (Schrad.) Maire & Weiller Bromus racemosus L. var. commutatus (Schrad.) Coss. & T. Durand Bromus secalinus L. commutatus (Schrad.) Lloret Forasaccus commutatus (Schrad.) Bubani Serrafalcus commutatus (Schrad.) Bab. Serrafalcus racemosus (L.) Parl. Commutatus (Schrad.) Rouy [1]

Bromus commutatus, known as Meadow Brome,^[2] is an annual or biennial^[3] species of plant in the grass family Poaceae. In the United States it is known as Hairy Chess.

Characteristics

The height ranges from 40 to 120 cm (47 in). The panicle is 7-20cm, usually nodding and often spreading,^[4] but erect as first.^[5] The leaf-sheaths are hairy, the upper are usually hairless.^[5] B. commutatus is stouter than B. racemosus, the Smooth Brome, with a flower-head not drooping to one side and a broader elongated branched flower head.^[6]

Meadow Brome structure

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  Node structure.

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  Panicle detail.

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  Spikelets detail.

Habitat and distribution

It is found in meadows, wasteground, road verges, hayfields and rough grassland.^[7] Found throughout the United Kingdom, it is common in England on the moist soils of water meadows; it is rare in Scotland, Ireland and Wales.^[8] It is found naturally throughout Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia. It has been introduced into North America and in the United States is known as 'Hairy Chess'. The flowering period is from May to July.^[8]

Crop value

Meadow Broom in a typical habitat

The species has no fodder value in the United Kingdom and is regarded as a weed. The attractive inflorescences may be used, either fresh or dry, in flower arrangements.^[8]

Varieties

Bromus commutatus var. pubens Wats has spikelets which are not hairless, having soft hairs.^[8]

References

Notes

Sources

• Clapham, A. R., Tutin, T. G. & Warburg, E. F. (1987). Excursion Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-23290-2.
• Fitter, R., Fitter, A. and Farrer, A. (1984). Collins Guide to the Grasses, Sedges, Rushes, and Ferns. London : Collins. ISBN 0-00-219136-9.
• Hubbard, C. E. (1992). Grasses. Harmondsworth : Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-14-013227-4
• McLintock, D. and Fitter, R. S. R. (1982). The Pocket Guide to Wild Flowers. London : Collins. ISBN 0-00-219363-9.
• Phillips, Roger (1980). Grasses, Ferns, Mosses, & Lichens London : Book Club Associates.

External links

• Germplasm Resources Information Network. Accessed : 2010-06-01
• Google Images of B. commutatus. Accessed : 2010-06-01

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Bromus commutatus.