Bromus catharticus

Identification tip: The large flattened spikelets make it difficult to confuse this species with an other in flower. Spike is rough along edge. 5-6 purplish lemmas.

Seeds germinate in the fall and plants produce seed the following spring.

The following information is for the genus Bromus: Animals that eat its seeds: Wild turkey. Animals that eat plants: Canada goose, Antelope, White-tailed deer (Martin et al. 1951). One of the most palatable of all range grasses, it is relished by livestock. Seeds are eaten by a number of birds and rodents.

An introduced, cool-season, shallow-rooted annual grass. It begins its growth just as warm-season grasses go dormant and makes most of its growth in early spring while there is little competition. Its common name was given to it by ranchers because it matures as summer grasses are beginning to grow and is sometimes the only green, palatable grass available at this time of year. Due to its short life cycle it is not really valuable as a forage grass.

Waste places and roadsides.