Bromus inermis subsp. inermis

Species category

Agricultural

Common name

smooth brome

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

FloretFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.

Shape

SpatulateSpatulate:
Having a narrow base and rounded apex. Pear-shaped.
, long and flat

Size

  • Length: 10 mm
  • Width: 2 mm
  • Thickness: 0.5 mm

Color

Brown

Texture

Smooth and wrinkled

Lemma

Flat, papery, and nearly transparent at the edges

Palea

Flat, papery and strong central nerve; margins with many fine hairs.

Other structures

Long, thin rachillaRachilla:
The axis of a spikelet.
with scabrousScabrous:
Rough to the touch, covered with minute points of very short, stiff hairs.
hairs

Identification notes

CaryopsisCaryopsis:
The single-seeded fruit or grain of the grass family (Poaceae); the fruit wall (pericarp) is united with the seed coat (testa).
is dark brown and can be seen though the lemmaLemma:
One of two bracts of the grass floret; it is located on the side nearest the embryo and opposite the rachilla.
and paleaPalea:
One of the thin bracts of grass floret enclosing the fruit (caryopsis) that is located on the side opposite the embryo.
. B. inermis differs from B. biebersteinii by having many fine hairs on its paleaPalea:
One of the thin bracts of grass floret enclosing the fruit (caryopsis) that is located on the side opposite the embryo.
margins, rather than bristles.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Included

Nomenclature

Family

Poaceae

Valid name

Bromus inermis Leyss. subsp. inermis

Top- Bromus biebersteinii.  Bottom- Bromus inermis  Florets with many fine hairs on the palea.
Top-Bromus biebersteinii. Bottom-Bromus inermis Florets with many fine hairs on the palea.
Top- Bromus biebersteinii.  Bottom- Bromus inermis . 64X. Florets with many fine hairs on the palea.
Top-Bromus biebersteinii. Bottom-Bromus inermis. 64X. Florets with many fine hairs on the palea.
 Bromus inermis  ssp.  inermis.  Dorsal view of two caryopses showing the longitudinal groove. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Bromus inermis ssp. inermis. Dorsal view of two caryopses showing the longitudinal groove. Photo courtesy of USDA-APHIS-PPQ.