Californian Brome
Bromus carinatus

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae

What it is like

Bromus carinatus is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind, Cleistogomy (self-pollinating without flowers ever opening). The plant is self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0.8

Where it is found

Various habitats from moist woods to dry open meadows or sagebrush covered hills, sometimes to the timber line. Found naturalized along the Thames at Kew and Oxford.

Western N. America - British Columbia to California and New Mexico. Naturalized in Britain.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Native to western North America from Alaska to northern Mexico, where it can be found in many types of habitat. Known in parts of the American midwest and eastern North America as an introduced species.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Seed - cooked. Used as a piñole.The dried seed can be ground into a powder and mixed with water to make a mush or made into bread. The seed is rather small and fiddly to utilize.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 1

Used for control of erosion and revegetation of damaged land, as well as a highly palatable forage for livestock.

How it is grown

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. A potential perennial cereal crop, it is able to survive summer droughts without needing irrigation. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.3 to 7.8. The plant has cleistogamous flowers - these do not open in the usual way but are self-pollinated by the plant. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in a sunny position in most well-drained soils.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ and only just cover. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. If seed is in short supply it can be surface sown in a cold frame in early spring. When large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. Division in spring. Large clumps can be planted out direct into their permanent positions whilst it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are ready to be planted out.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual/Biennial

Hardiness: 4-8

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Can become a noxious weed in agricultural settings.

Its other names

Local names

California brome. Mountain brome.

Synonyms

Ceratochloa carinatus.