Bromus arvensis explained

Bromus arvensis, the field brome, is a brome grass native to Europe and Asia. The specific epithet arvensis is Latin, meaning "of cultivated land".

Description

Bromus arvensis is an annual or biennial grass with erect culms growing NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet) tall. The grass has an extensive fibrous root system. The leaf sheaths are softly pubescent and leaf blades are pubescent on both faces. The leaf blades are NaNcm (-2,147,483,648inches) long and NaNmm wide. The obtuse ligules are NaNmm long. The large, open panicles are NaNm (-2,147,483,648feet) long and NaNcm (-2,147,483,648inches) wide, with ascending branches that droop at their ends. The straight or slightly curved branches are typically longer than the spikelets. The lanceolate spikelets are NaNcm (-2,147,483,648inches) long and become purplish at maturity. The spikelets have long pedicels and are five to twelve flowered. The bases of florets can be concealed or obvious at maturity. The glumes are glabrous. The lower glumes are three-veined and NaNmm long, and the upper glumes are five-veined and NaNmm long. The obtuse and glabrous or slightly scabrous lemmas are NaNmm long and NaNmm wide, and have seven faint nerves. The margins are translucent and end in lengthy and acute teeth. The awns are straight and NaNmm long. The anthers are approximately 4mm long. The caryopses are shorter than the paleas and can be either weakly or strongly rolled inwards.[1] [2]

The grass flowers in June and July.

Habitat and distribution

Bromus arvensis grows along roadsides, in disturbed areas, and in fields. It is native to southern and central Europe, but is now naturalized as a weed throughout temperate regions including North America and Asia. The grass is a soil improver and is useful for erosion control.[2] [3]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Gray's Manual of Botany . Merrit Lyndon Fernald . 1970 . R. C. Rollins . D. Van Nostrand Company . Eighth (Centennial) - Illustrated. 0-442-22250-5 . 102.
  2. Book: Flora of North America: North of Mexico . 24 . Flora of North America Editorial Committee . Oxford University Press . 1993 . 9780195310719 . 228.
  3. Book: CRC World Dictionary of Grasses: Common Names, Scientific Names, Eponyms, Synonyms, and Etymology . Umberto Quattrocchi . CRC Press . 2006 . 9781420003222 . 364.