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Soft Brome

©Philip Precey

Soft brome

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Scientific name: Bromus hordeaceus
Soft brome is a tall, annual grass of roadside verges, waste ground and meadows, and is a 'weed' of arable land. It has long, grey-green leaves and loosely clustered flower spikes.

Top facts

Stats

Height: up to 1m

Conservation status

Common.

When to see

January to December

About

The most common form of brome found in the UK, Soft Brome is an annual grass of roadside verges, waste ground, meadows and cultivated ground; it is considered a weed in cereal crops and on arable land. It flowers and seeds from May to August and can grow very quickly.

What to look for

Soft brome is quite variable in form, but usually appears as a tallish grass with grey-green leaves and loosely clustered flower heads. The spikelets are compact and oval, with spiky bristles at their tips.

Where to find

Widespread.

Did you know?

Soft brome is also known as 'Bull grass' and 'Soft chess' in North America.