''Bromus commutatus'', the meadow brome, is an

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biennial Biennial means (an event) lasting for two years or occurring every two years. The related term biennium is used in reference to a period of two years. In particular, it can refer to: * Biennial plant, a plant which blooms in its second year and th ...

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plant Plants are predominantly photosynthetic eukaryotes of the kingdom Plantae. Historically, the plant kingdom encompassed all living things that were not animals, and included algae and fungi; however, all current definitions of Plantae exclu ...

in the grass

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Poaceae. In the United States it is known as hairy chess.

Description

The height ranges from 40 to . The panicle is 7–20 cm, usually nodding and often spreading, but erect as first.Fitter, Page 74 The leaf-sheaths are hairy, the upper are usually hairless. ''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.

Meadow brome structure

File:Node on Bromus commutatus.JPG, Node structure File:Detail of Bromus commutatus panicle.JPG, Panicle detail File:Bromus commutatus spikelets.JPG, Spikelets detail

Habitat and distribution

It is found in meadows, wasteground, road verges, hayfields and rough grassland.Philips, Page 72 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.Hubbard, Page 85 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.

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.

Varieties

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

References

Notes

Sources

* Clapham, A. R., Tutin, T. G. & Warburg, E. F. (1987). ''Excursion Flora of the British Isles''. Cambridge : Cambridge University Press. . * Fitter, R., Fitter, A. and Farrer, A. (1984). ''Collins Guide to the Grasses, Sedges, Rushes, and Ferns.'' London : Collins. . * Hubbard, C. E. (1992). ''Grasses''. Harmondsworth : Penguin Books. * McLintock, D. and Fitter, R. S. R. (1982). ''The Pocket Guide to Wild Flowers.'' London : Collins. . * Phillips, Roger (1980). ''Grasses, Ferns, Mosses, & Lichens'' London : Book Club Associates.

External links

*
Google Images of B. commutatus. Accessed : 2010-06-01
{{Taxonbar, from=Q161349 commutatus Flora of Europe Flora of Western Asia Flora of North Africa