Bromus japonicus

Japanese Brome

Field view of Bromus japonicus, common name Japanese Brome.

The typical panicles of Japanese Brome. It has this golden color when dry.

Stems, inflorescence, and spikelets.

You can begin to see the spreading, bent awns.

The bent awns are diagnostic.

Close view of a dry seedhead of Japanese Brome.

Stems and leaves of Japanese Brome. The leaf sheaths are furry.

The roots (with dry leaves attached).

Here, the eighth-inch grayish, notched ligule is attached to the old brown leaf blade.

How to Identify Japanese Brome

  You can know all the bromes because the spikelets are large and torpedo-shaped (often a flattened torpedo). Many are awned and drooping. Like Cheatgrass, Japanese Brome is short, below knee high. It has cylindrical spikelets and, unlike Cheatgrass, it has bent awns. Japanese Brome is less common and a little less droopy than Cheatgrass.

Similar Species

  Fringed Brome (Bromus ciliatus) and several other large bromes can be quite droopy, but are taller than Japanese Brome and Cheatgrass and have larger spikelets. Closer in appearance: Bromus arenarius, Australian Brome, which has flared but not bent awns. It is rare and occurs only in Coconino and Maricopa Counties. The rare (Pima County only) Bromus lanceolatus, Lanceolate Brome, has bent awns but does not droop.