Scientific Name
Brachypodium distachyon (L.) P. Beauv.
Common Name(s)
Purple false brome
Tribe / Family Name
Brachypodieae
Flowering Period
April to July
Symbol
BRDI2
Description
Purple false brome is an introduced loosely tufted annual grass. Culms range from 15-40 cm in height, are decumbent to erect, and distinctly pubescent at the nodes. Inflorescences are racemes 2-7 cm long with 1-7 spikelets per stem. Spikelets are 15-40 mm long, 7-to 15-flowered, laterally compressed, and awned (awns are 4-17 mm long, usually straight, and sometimes curved). Ligules are up to 3 mm long, membranous, and pubescent. Blades are 10-40 cm long, up to 5 mm wide, flat, sparsely hairy, and with unequally prominent veins.
General Info
Purple false brome can be found along roadsides, open fields, disturbed grasslands, and dry slopes. As forage, it is considered poor due to its fibrous stems, little foliage, and long, stiff barb-like spikelets.
Similar Species
Purple false brome may look similar to other brome (Bromus) species. However, to distinguish these plants from each other, look at their sheaths. Purple false brome has open sheaths, whereas brome plants have fused sheaths.
Image of growth habit. Photo by Justin J. Trujillo.
Inflorescence is a spike-like raceme. Photo by Justin J. Trujillo.
Close-up of spikelets. Photo by Justin J. Trujillo.
Close-up of spikelets. Photo by Justin J. Trujillo.
Close-up image of spikelets. Photo by Jessica Vinje.
Close-up of hairy node. Photo by Justin J. Trujillo.
Close-up image of culm. Note the hairy node. Photo by Jessica Vinje.
Illustration of purple false brome. Hitchcock, A.S. (rev. A. Chase). 1/1/1950.