Smooth brome - Bromus inermis (Taxonomy, Characteristics, Culture, Images, Control)

Smooth brome

Also known as: Austrian bromegrass, Pumpelly's bromegrass, Hungarian brome, Hungarian bromegrass

Smooth brome (Bromus inermis) grows best in full sunlight and often grows on roadsides, fields and prairies. It’s indigenous to Europe and was brought to the United States sometime in the mid-nineteenth century. Botanists consider smooth brome to be an ecological threat because of its aggressive root system.

Scientific classification

Species

Smooth brome (Bromus inermis)

Grasses, sedges and allies

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Weeds

Weed or not

Grass

Plant Type

Late spring, Summer, Fall

Bloom Time

Late summer, Early fall

Harvest Time

46 cm to 91 cm

Plant Height

45 cm to 75 cm

Spread

Green, Blue, Gray

Leaf Color

2.5 cm

Flower Size

Brown

Fruit Color

Yellow

Flower Color

Green

Stem Color

Winter dormancy

Dormancy

Images of Smooth brome

Distribution of Smooth brome

Distribution Map

Smooth brome is naturally found spanning over northern temperate zones across Eurasia from Western Europe to East Asia. It is native to major regions such as Central Asia, the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe and portions of the Himalayas. Smooth brome has been widely introduced to both American continents, Australasia, and parts of Africa, adapting to various environments outside its native range.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Introduced

No species reported

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Habitat

Meadow, Cultivated beds

Hemisphere Trend Curve

Northern

Sorthern

Culture

Garden Use

Smooth brome is a low-maintenance, clump-forming ornamental grass with an attractive bronze to purplish tint. It is versatile in the garden setting, and can be used as an accent, planted in groups, or en masse. It serves well as a compact grass addition in borders but can also be used to create groundcover. Because of its erosion-prevention abilities, smooth brome performs great when planted with that particular purpose on banks and slopes.

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Toxicity

Smooth brome is not toxic, but highly susceptible to ergot poisoning. Ergot, a fungus, can cause gastrointestinal issues, headaches, and gangrene if ingested.

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Weed Control

Smooth brome is native to Eurasia and has been used for forage, hay production, and erosion control. It has spread throughout most of North America and is defined as invasive in four states. Smooth brome can spread laterally through rhizomes and produce up to 10,000 viable seeds a season, which allows it to quickly spread to new areas. It is drought and freeze-tolerant and grows well in disturbed and agricultural areas. It can impede the growth of native plants and acts as an alternative host for agricultural pests. A combination of mowing in the spring and herbicides can effectively control populations of smooth brome.

How to Control It

The best time to remove smooth brome (Smooth brome) is during the spring or early summer seasons. It is significant to get rid of the plant before it enters the flowering or seed-setting stage, which will prevent further spread. Here are some organic methods to control this plant:

Hand Pulling: This is a direct method and suitable for smaller infestations. Grasp the base of smooth brome and apply a firm, steady pull to remove it, including its roots. Do this regularly to keep the plant at bay.
Mowing or Cutting: If hand pulling is not possible due to a large infestation, regular cutting or mowing could be an option. Mow or cut the plant before it flowers to prevent seed production and spread.
Smothering: For this method, you'll need a sheet of heavy-duty plastic or a specially designed garden tarp. Lay it over the infested area and secure it with rocks or garden staples. This will block sunlight and smother the plants beneath. Make sure to remove dead plants afterwards.
Organic Herbicides: Consider using organic herbicides as a control method. Apply an herbicide that is labelled as safe for the environment and follow the manufacturer's instructions on the package.
Planting Competitive Species: Plant species that can out-compete smooth brome for resources. Choose native plants that are adapted to your local conditions. This method becomes more effective when combined with the other methods.

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Care Guide for Smooth brome

Every week

Water

Full sun

Sunlight

5 - 35 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Garden Soil

Soil Type

Water: Smooth brome thrives in temperate regions, preferring consistent soil moisture without waterlogging. It benefits from weekly watering and adapts well outdoors, utilizing natural rainfall for growth. As an herbaceous plant, it aligns its growth cycles with increased environmental moisture during the growing season.

Propagation: Smooth brome is effectively propagated by division during spring or autumn, which is an easy method identified by new growth at the divided sections. Proper root separation is crucial for successful propagation.

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Images of Smooth brome

Distribution of Smooth brome

Culture

Toxicity

Weed Control

Care Guide for Smooth brome

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