Japanese chess (Bromus japonicus)

Japanese chess

Also known as: Japanese brome grass

Japanese chess (Bromus japonicus) is an annual or biennial tufted grass that grows up to 20 cm tall. Japanese chess is native to Eurasia. This species grows in fields, waste places, road verges, and sand dunes.

Scientific classification

Species

Japanese chess (Bromus japonicus)

Grasses, sedges and allies

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Annual, Biennial

Lifespan

Grass

Plant Type

Summer

Bloom Time

36 cm to 71 cm

Plant Height

30 cm

Spread

6 cm to 13 cm

Flower Size

Yellow, Green

Flower Color

Images of Japanese chess

Distribution of Japanese chess

Distribution Map

Japanese chess is a plant with a wide natural range that includes regions of East Asia, Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeastern and Eastern Europe. It has been introduced to parts of Northern Europe, South America, North America, and Oceania, where it has established itself in various locales.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Introduced

No species reported

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Habitat

Fields, waste places

Hemisphere Trend Curve

Northern

Sorthern

Weed Control

Japanese chess originates from East Asia and has become a problematic weed due to its attributes. As an annual grass, it exhibits a rapid growth rate and prolific seed production, which makes it highly invasive. Potentially harmful to gardens, it competes fiercely with cultivated plants for resources like nutrients, light, and water, ultimately hindering their growth. Its seeds are easily dispersed by wind, water, and human activities, aiding its aggressive colonization of disturbed areas.

How to Control It

The best season to eliminate japanese chess is late spring or early summer before the weed has matured to produce seeds. It's key to interrupt the plant's life cycle before it gets to this stage. Here are some organic methods you can use to control this plant:

Manual Removal: This involves yanking the weed out of the ground with your hands. Make sure to get as much of the root as possible to prevent the plant from regrowing.
Smothering: A thick layer of organic mulch applied around your desirable plants can choke out japanese chess. The mulch cuts off the weed's access to sunlight which prevents its growth.
Use of a Weed Whacker: This allows you to cut down the weed to ground level, reducing its ability to absorb sunlight and thereby stifling its growth.
Application of Boiling Water: Be careful with this method as it can harm desirable plants as well. Pour boiling water directly onto japanese chess to effectively kill it.
Planting Dense Groundcover: Planting green, fast-growing and thick groundcover that can out-compete japanese chess for resources is an effective organic method.

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Care Guide for Japanese chess

Every week

Water

Full sun

Sunlight

20 - 35 ℃

Ideal Temperature

Water: Originating from moderate climates, japanese chess prefers consistent moisture and requires weekly watering. Thriving outdoors, it benefits from soil conditions that mimic natural precipitation, especially during its active growth season, where regular rainfall or irrigation supports its lush foliage.

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Learn More About Japanese chess

Sunlight Requirements

Ideal Temperature

How to Grow and Care

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