Japanese brome

(Bromus japonicus)

COMMON NAMES:

Japanese brome or Japanese chess

DESCRIPTION:

Japanese brome is a winter annual species, similar to cheat, that can grow to be 14-30” tall. Leaf blades and sheaths are soft and hairy. Inflorescence is diffuse with drooping branches. Awns become twisted and widely spread at maturity. Seeds germinate in the fall, overwinter as a seedling, grow rapidly in the spring, and reach maturity by June.  

KEY FEATURES:

Leaf blades and sheaths are covered in soft hairs. Drooping branches with twisted awns.  

HABITAT:

Depleted rangelands and pastures, meadow and sagebrush communities, and dry soils in disturbed areas.

CONTROL:

Applying herbicides in the spring may be most effective. In smaller patches, it can be hand-pulled and removed prior to seed production. For more information contact our SCWP office.