Cheat grass, Drooping brome
Bromus tectorum

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

An annual grass. It is erect and grows 60 cm high. The leaves are near the base and form a sheath. They are narrow and sword shaped. The leaf blades are 18 cm long. The flower panicle is 18 cm long and can be loose or dense. The spikelets are narrowly wedge shaped and fragile.

There are about 150 Bromus species. They are temperate.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows in desert places and also on walls and roofs. It will grow in most soils. It is best in an open sunny position. It is resistant to frost but sensitive to drought. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Central Asia, Chile, China, Europe, Himalayas, India, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Luxembourg, Mediterranean (country/location of origin), New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Russia, Siberia, Slovenia, South America, Tajikistan, Tibet, Turkmenistan, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan

How it is used for food

It is a famine food.

Edible parts

Seeds, cereal

How it is grown

Plants are grown by seed.

Its other names

Local names

Bromo pendulo, Bromo tectorum, Bromo vellosa, Downy brome, Strešna stoklasa

Synonyms

Anisantha pontica C. Koch; Anisantha tectorum (Linn.) Nevski; Bromus abortiflorus St. Amans; Bromus tectorum var. hirsutus Regel; Schedonorus tectorum (Linn.) Fries; Zerna tectorum (Linn.) Panzer ex Jacks.;