Downy Brome / Trava

Description:

Bromus tectorum is an annual bunchgrass, usually germinating in the autumn, overwintering as a seedling, then flowering in the spring or early summer. If winter rainfall is limiting and spring moisture is adequate, the seeds will germinate in the spring, and the plants will flower that summer. It typically reaches 40 - 90 cm tall, though plants as small as 2.5 cm may produce seed. It is cleistogamous and self-fertile, with no evident out-crossing.

Habitat:

It is a grass native to Europe, southwestern Asia and northern Africa. It grows in many climatic areas. It is found primarily in the 150 - 560 mm precipitation zone. It will grow in almost any type of soil, including B and C horizons of eroded areas and areas low in nitrogen. It is most often found on coarse-textured soils and does not grow well on heavy, dry, and/or saline soils. It grows in a relatively narrow range of soil temperatures; growth starts at 2.0 - 3.5 °C and slows when temperatures exceed 15 °C.

Notes:

Other names: Drooping Brome, Cheat Grass