Relatives

Bromopsis inermis (Leyss.) Holub - Bromopsis inermis

Systematic position.

Family Poaceae Barnhart Genera Bromopsis Fourr.

Synonyms.

Bromus inermis Leyss., B. littoreus Georgi, B. pskemensis Pavl., Zerna inermis (Leyss.) Lindm.

Morphology and Biology.

Perennial, long rhizomatous grass, 60 to 100 cm tall. Whole or slightly decaying sheath of old leaves are retained on lower part of stem. Leaf is 25 cm long, 4-10 mm wide, dark green, usually glabrous. Leaf lingule is 1-2 mm in length. Sheath is closed, without auricles. Inflorescence is a panicle with drooping branches, 15-20 cm in length. Spikelet is 1.2-3 cm long, with 3(6)-12 flowers; upper flower is underdeveloped. Glume is 5-8 mm long. Lower floral glume has no awn or has one awn up to 4 mm long. Often it has a violet back. Cross-pollinated; wind-pollinated. Flowers June-August. Seed and vegetative reproduction. Chromosomal number 2n=28, 42, 56.

Distribution.

European Russia, the Caucasus, Western Siberia (except the Arctic part), Eastern Siberia (Rivers: Enisey, Lena, Kolyma), the Far East (invasive), Central Asia, Scandinavia, Atlantic and Central Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia Minor, Mongolia, Japan, and China. Has been introduced into and has invaded several other countries.

Ecology.

Species occurs in meadows, in river sands, on shingles, along pond banks, in forest clearings, in meadow steppes, in brush-woods, near roads, on banks, along field edges, and near villages, towns and mountainous zones. Species can dominate in phytocenosis.

Economic value.

Forage, for hay and pasture use. It is highly palatable to cattle. It can be cultured for hay and used as pasture plant. It can be used to prevent soil erosion.

Reference citations:

Tzvelev N.N. 1976. Poaceae USSR. Leningrad: Nauka. 788 pp. (In Russian)
Gubanov I.A., Kiseleva K.V., Novikov V.S., Tychomirov V.N. 2002. Illustrated determinant of plants of Middle Russia. V. 1. Moscow, 526. (In Russian)

Copyright belongs to V.G. Funtova.

Photo V.G. Funtova
 

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