Bromus hordeaceus

Bromus hordeaceus_soft brome_ JM Di Tomaso
Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Synonyms: Bromus confertus Boreau. (B. racemosus and B. scoparious mistakenly used in some older references)

Common names: soft brome; soft chess; lopgrass

Bromus hordeaceus (soft brome) is an annual grass (family Poaceae) distributed at low elevation areas in California, especially in disturbed and open areas. Bromus hordeaceus out competes native grasses and is commonly eaten by range animals, although its forage value is very low. It can invade soils with low fertility, such as the serpentine soils that are home to rare plant species.

Cal-IPC Rating: Limited?

CDFA Rating: None?

Assessment(s)

Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.

Weed Management Notes

  • Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

Other Bromus hordeaceus Information

  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Bromus hordeaceus_growth habit_Ron Vanderhoff_cropped
    Bromus hordeaceus (soft brome) growth habit. Photo: Ron Vanderhoff
    Bromus hordeaceus_spikelets_Ron Vanderhoff_cropped
    Bromus hordeaceus (soft brome) spikelets. Photo: Ron Vanderhoff