| Author | L. | |
| Distribution | The differences between this species and B. commutatus are not well defined. Until specimens can be studied and annotated, we will include all NC material in the latter. At the SERNEC website, only specimens from the following were determined as racemosus: Alleghany, Chatham, Dare, Moore, Person.
Natve to Europe; in N.A. Newf. to B.C., south to LA, TX, and CA. | |
| Abundance | Unknown; perhaps rare to uncommon, but unsettled. | |
| Habitat | Roadsides, fields, fallow fields, disturbed soil. | |
| Phenology | Flowering and fruiting April-July. | |
| Identification | Together, B. racemosus and B. commutatus are most similar to B. japonicus. They differ in their rather stiff, ascending inflorescence branches (vs. lax and arching). | |
| Taxonomic Comments | The differences between this species and B. commutatus are not well defined. They may be only varietally distinct. Until specimens can be studied and annotated, we will include all NC material in the latter.
Bromus is an important genus of grasses for their value as forage (many species) or for the harm they cause to the guts of grazing animals (a few species). In most of our species, inflorescences arch over and cause the spikelets to droop; thus the plants are often graceful looking. Bromus, Festuca, and Poa all can look quite similar to beginners (and even veterans!), because they all have multi-flowered spikelets. Generally speaking, Bromus taxa have much the largest spikelets, and most Poa taxa have a tuft of wispy hairs at the base of each floret (lacking in the other genera). Bromus and Festuca taxa have obvious awns on the florets that are absent in Poa taxa. With field experience and careful use of keys, one can eventually handle these genera. | |
| Other Common Name(s) | | |
| State Rank | SE | |
| Global Rank | GNR | |
| State Status | | |
| US Status | | |
| USACE-agcp | | |
| USACE-emp | | |
