Soft Brome
Bromus thominii

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae

What it is like

Bromus thominii is a BIENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3. It is in flower from May to July, and the seeds ripen from June to August. 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.

Height (m): 0.8

Where it is found

Meadows, waste places, and on dunes, shingle banks and cliffs, mainly in southern Britain.

W. Europe, from Britain and France to Scandanavia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

Seed - cooked. The seed can be dried, ground into a powder then mixed with water and eaten as a gruel. The seed is small and fiddly to utilize.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

How it is grown

Succeeds in a sunny position in most well-drained soils. The plant produces open, wind pollinated flowers and also cleistogamous flowers - these do not open and are self-fertilized.

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: Meadow; Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Biennial

Hardiness: 3-7

Growth:

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

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

B. hordaceus. L. sec Holmberg.