Brome, downy (Bromus tectorum)

Usually a winter annual grass with densely hairy leaves and sheaths and a drooping seedhead. Downy brome is found throughout the United States except in the extreme southeast. The leaves are rolled in the shoot and are densely soft hairy on both surfaces. Leaves lack auricles and have a membranous ligule that is approximately 1-1/2 to 3 mm long and is usually distinctly toothed or fringed with hairs near the top. Leaf blades are approximately 5 to 10 mm wide. Leaf sheaths are round and also densely hairy. The seedhead is a soft drooping panicle that is often purple-tinged. Individual spikelets are 10 to 18 mm long.

IPM1007, revised June 2007