Ripgut Brome
Bromus rigidus

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae

What it is like

Bromus rigidus is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from May to June. 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, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.

Height (m): 1

Where it is found

Waste places on sandy shores in the Channel Islands, a casual in other parts of Britain.

Southern and western Europe, including Britain, to N. Africa.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Seed. Used as a piñole, or dried then ground into a powder and mixed with water to make a gruel. The seed is small and would be rather fiddly to use.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Succeeds in ordinary well-drained garden soil in a sunny position. The plant has cleistogamous flowers, these flowers do not open but produce seed by means of self-fertilization.

Propagating it: Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ and only just cover. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 6-9

Growth:

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

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Anisantha rigidus. (Roth.)Hyl. B. diandrus. Roth.