Downy brome, Bromus tectorum L., is an annual grass that came from Europe in about 1861. It’s now the dominant plant on over 100 million acres in the western United States, making it the most...
Description
Downy brome, Bromus tectorum L., is an annual grass that came from Europe in about 1861. It’s now the dominant plant on over 100 million acres in the western United States, making it the most common plant on the continent. A major problem in the United States, downy brome is also becoming a problem in the southern parts of British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. Some of the common names that this grass is known by include: downy brome, cheatgrass, military grass and downy chess. Downy brome thrives on medium to coarse textured soil types (sandy or gravelly soils) and in low to medium precipitation zones. It’s currently listed as a nuisance weed in the Alberta Weed Control Act, but has been elevated to noxious weed status by several municipalities in Alberta.