bio.wikisort.org - Plant

Bromus commutatus, the meadow brome,[2] is an annual or biennial[3] species of plant in the grass family Poaceae. In the United States it is known as hairy chess.

Bromus commutatus
A panicle of Bromus commutatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Subfamily:	Pooideae
Genus:	Bromus
Species:	B. commutatus
Binomial name
Bromus commutatus Schrad.
Synonyms[1]
Brachypodium commutatum (Schrad.) P. Beauv. Bromus commutatus var. apricorum Simonkai Bromus hordeaceus var. commutatus (Schrad.) Fiori Bromus mollis var. commutatus (Schrad.) Sanio Bromus mutabilis var. commutatus (Schrad.) F. W. Schultz Bromus racemosus var. commutatus (Schrad.) Maire & Weiller Bromus racemosus var. commutatus (Schrad.) Coss. & T. Durand Bromus secalinus commutatus (Schrad.) Lloret Forasaccus commutatus (Schrad.) Bubani Serrafalcus commutatus (Schrad.) Bab. Serrafalcus racemosus (L.) Parl. Commutatus (Schrad.) Rouy

Description

The height ranges from 40 to 120 cm (47 in). The panicle is 7–20 cm, usually nodding and often spreading,[4] but erect as first.[5] The leaf-sheaths are hairy, the upper are usually hairless.[5] B. commutatus is stouter than B. racemosus, the smooth brome, with a flower-head not drooping to one side and a broader elongated branched flower head.[6]

Meadow brome structure

• 
  Node structure
• 
  Panicle detail
• 
  Spikelets detail

Habitat and distribution

It is found in meadows, wasteground, road verges, hayfields and rough grassland.[7] Found throughout the United Kingdom, it is common in England on the moist soils of water meadows; it is rare in Scotland, Ireland and Wales.[3] It is found naturally throughout Europe, N. Africa, W. Asia. It has been introduced into North America and in the United States is known as 'Hairy Chess'. The flowering period is from May to July.[3]

Crop value

The species has no fodder value in the United Kingdom and is regarded as a weed. The attractive inflorescences may be used, either fresh or dry, in flower arrangements.[3]

Varieties

Bromus commutatus var. pubens Wats has spikelets which are not hairless, having soft hairs.[3]

References

Notes

Sources

• Clapham, A. R., Tutin, T. G. & Warburg, E. F. (1987). Excursion Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-23290-2.
• Fitter, R., Fitter, A. and Farrer, A. (1984). Collins Guide to the Grasses, Sedges, Rushes, and Ferns. London : Collins. ISBN 0-00-219136-9.
• Hubbard, C. E. (1992). Grasses. Harmondsworth : Penguin Books. ISBN 978-0-14-013227-4
• McLintock, D. and Fitter, R. S. R. (1982). The Pocket Guide to Wild Flowers. London : Collins. ISBN 0-00-219363-9.
• Phillips, Roger (1980). Grasses, Ferns, Mosses, & Lichens London : Book Club Associates.

External links

• "Bromus commutatus". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
• Google Images of B. commutatus. Accessed : 2010-06-01

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