Invasive Plant Species Control
Smooth Brome
(Bromus inermis)
Native Substitutes
- Big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii)
- Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
- Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans)
- Prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata)
- Bluejoint grass (Calamagrostis canadensis)
Description
Appearance: Perennial cool season grass, 2-3' high, hairless erect stem.
Leaves: Conspicuous "M"- or "W"-shaped constriction, blade about 1/4" wide.
Flower: Open panicle (main axis with subdivided branching), erect with ascending branches, blooming in June and July. Reproduces sexually by seed and vegetatively by rhizomes.
Ecological Threat
Smooth brome grass spreads into degraded prairies, roadsides and ditches, and moist wooded areas. It is widely planted as a forage grass and for hay production. Smooth brome was imported in the late 1800s for use as forage grass and for erosion control. It is tolerant of a wide variety of conditions, but prefers moist soils and sunny locations.
Control Methods
| Mechanical | Chemical | Biological |
|---|---|---|
| Late spring prescribed burns will decrease it | Mowing and then after a growth flush spraying repeatedly with glyphosate | None |
Sources
Weeds of Nebraska and the Great Plains, by James Stubbendieck and Geir Friisoe, Nebraska Department of Agriculture, 1994/95
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Restore Your Shore CD, 2001
