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How to Manage Pests

Identification: Weed Photo Gallery

Soft brome

Scientific name: Bromus hordeaceus (Grass Family: Poaceae)

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Life stages of Soft brome influorescence collar mature plant

Soft brome, also called soft chess, is a widely distributed annual at lower elevation areas in California, especially in open, disturbed areas. Plants are found mostly up to 3300 feet (about 1000 m) and occasionally up to 7000 feet (2100 m). Soft brome inhabits agricultural land and disturbed sites in plant communities. It is able to colonize sites with low soil fertility.

Habitat

Grassland, sagebrush communities, rangeland, fields, open disturbed sites, roadsides, orchards, vineyards, and agronomic crop fields.

Seedling

Seed germination starts in fall.

Young plant

Young plants grow rapidly during fall with available moisture and slow down through winter. Resuming rapid growth in spring, plants reach maturity in early summer.

Mature plant

Plants reach 4 inches to more than 2 feet (61 cm) tall and are distinguished by dense, soft hairs on sheaths.

Collar region

Ligules are membranous. There are no auricles.

Flower

Soft brome blooms from April through July. Compact spikelets form dense flowering heads with needlelike awns about 1/4 to 1/2 of an inch (0.64–1.3 cm) long, usually straight, but sometimes curved outward.

Reproduction

Soft brome reproduces by seed.

Related species/Similar looking plants

Ripgut brome
Rescuegrass

More information


Statewide IPM Program, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California
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