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Bromus catharticus - rescuegrass

Scientific Family
Poaceae
Synonyms
Bromus brevis, Bromus willdenowii
Other common names
prairiegrass
Plant type
Grasses
Riparian
No

Grass Description

Origin
Introduced
Season
Cool
Warm

Weedy. Occupies disturbed sites.

Plant Community
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
3000
High elevation
5000

General Description

Branches usually spread as they ascend and droop or are sometimes bent down abruptly. Stout annual, biennial or short-lived perennial.

Seedhead stems are erect or spreading, branches are somewhat spreading; spikelets are flattened; lemmas are definitely keeled, v-shaped in cross section and without awns or awn-pointed.

Grass type
Perennial bunchgrass
Rhizomes
No
Stolons
No
Clump Diameter 2 ft or more
No
Bushy - highly branched
Yes
Height with Seedheads
Greater than 36 inches
Seedhead Structure
Branched - contracted
Seedhead droops
No
First bloom month
May
Last bloom month
September

Flower Characteristics

Flowers per Spikelet
Multi-flowered
Spikelets One-Sided
No
Awns
Less than 1/4 inch
Three Awns
No
Awns bent
No
Flower and Seedhead Notes

Seedhead erect or nodding, open or dense, occasionally 1-sided. Spikelets 1/4 to 3 inches, cylindrical to laterally compressed, with 3 to 30 florets. Awns, if present, are up to 1/8 inch long.

Vegetative Characteristics

Blade is hairy
No
Blade margins white
No
Blade cross-section
Flat

Blades generally flat, rarely involute and lack hairs. Leaves sheathing at base. Leaf sheath mostly closed, smooth and lacks hairs.

Sheath is hairy
No
Tufts of hair top of sheath or collar
No
Ligule
Membranous
Auricles
No

Can be used for hay, but at maturity the sharp pointed florets and long, rough awns can injure grazing animals.