Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens

Bromus madritensis_red brome_ JM Di Tomaso
Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Synonyms: Bromus rubens

Common names: red brome; foxtail chess

Bromus madritensis ssp. rubens (=B. rubens) (red brome) is a cool-season annual grass (family Poaceae) found throughout California, especially in the southern part of the state. Red brome invades disturbed areas, roadsides, agricultural fields, rangelands, and forestry sites, in addition to native communities. Red brome is spreading rapidly in desert shrublands, pinyon pine-juniper communities, three-needle pine woodlands, and coastal scrub, where it increases fire frequency and converts habitat to annual grassland.

Cal-IPC Rating: High?

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

There are no newsletter articles associated with this species yet.

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 madritensis ssp. rubens 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 madritensis_red brome_Bob Case_cropped
    Bromus madritensis (red brome) growth habit. Photo: Bob Case