Forage Identification: Smooth bromegrass

Adaptation:
Smooth brome was introduced from Europe and Asia. It does well in deep, well drained, moist soils. Very winter hardy. Adapted to soils with fine to medium texture. Resists heat and drought. It prefers pH between 5.8 and 6.5.

Growth Habitat:
Smooth brome is a long-lived, cool season perennial. Forms an extensive sod by rhizomes. It is moderate to easy to establish, but spreads rapidly through both seeds and rhizomes.

Plant Characteristics:
This plant is very leafy and grows 15 to 30 inches tall. Leaf blades are flat and smooth and have rough margins. An M or W-shaped leaf constriction is usually present on the blade. Leaves are rolled in the whorl. The leaf sheath is round, smooth and closed. There are no auricles present and it has a round edged ligule.

Seed Characteristics:
Grayish-tan lemma and palea that tightly adheres to the brown to purple caryopsis. Each seed is flat and oblong with broadest area toward open end. The best time to plant is between February 1st and May 1st or August 1st and September 1st.

Important Identifying Characteristics:
A W or M-shape constriction can be seen about two-thirds up the leaf blades.

Primary Uses:
Hay, pasture and soil conservation.