# bromes (*Bromus*)

Bromes are a type of grass that grow in fields and meadows. They are tall and can sway gently in the wind, making them look like they are dancing!

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Grasslands

![bromes](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Starr_051202-5640_Bromus_catharticus.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Starr_051202-5640_Bromus_catharticus.jpg)

## Appearance

The bromes is a common grass, usually green, turning golden-brown as it matures. It has distinctive seed heads called spikelets that can be loose and drooping or dense and upright, often with bristly awns, setting it apart from smooth-headed grasses.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Liliopsida
- **Order:** Poales
- **Family:** Poaceae
- **Genus:** Bromus

## Interesting facts

- Bromes are ancient plants, with fossil evidence showing they grew millions of years ago!
- Certain brome seeds can lie dormant in the soil for over a decade, waiting to sprout!
- Some bromes are called 'cheatgrass' because they grow super fast and outcompete other plants!
- The tough, pointed seeds of some bromes can actually burrow into animal fur!

## Special abilities

- **Seed Slingers:** Bromes can produce many seeds that easily attach to fur or clothes, helping them spread far and wide.
- **Tough Tillers:** Bromes has strong roots and stems that help it survive in harsh soils and quickly regrow after disturbance.
- **Drought Dodgers:** Many bromes can complete their life cycle quickly, allowing them to grow and set seed before dry seasons arrive.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-150 cm
- **Spread:** 15-45 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.5-2 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Spring to early summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Annual
- **Pollination Method:** Wind

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Elk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elk) (*Cervus canadensis*) — grazes on young brome plants and seeds.
- **Eaten by:** Meadow Vole (*Microtus pennsylvanicus*) — eats seeds and stems, finding shelter in the dense growth.
- **Shelter:** [Deer Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/deer-mouse) (*Peromyscus maniculatus*) — builds nests and hides from predators within brome stands.
- **Eats:** [Two-striped Grasshopper](https://www.snappit.app/explore/two-striped-grasshopper) (*Melanoplus bivittatus*) — chews on the leaves and stems of brome plants.

## Traits

- [Grass-Like](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grass-like): Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves.
- [Agricultural](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/agricultural): This human use trait describes species cultivated or domesticated by humans for agricultural purposes, including crops and livestock.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Rapid Growing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rapid-growing): Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
- [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Always stay on paths when walking through fields to avoid getting lost.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify bromes?

Compare seed heads, stem shape, how leaves attach, and the joint where leaf meets stem. A patch of mown lawn rarely shows enough for an exact ID. Grass Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is bromes?

30-150 cm

### How wide does bromes spread?

15-45 cm

### How big are the flowers on bromes?

0.5-2 cm

### When does bromes bloom?

Spring to early summer

### Is bromes edible?

Yes

### Is bromes toxic?

None

### What is bromes's lifecycle?

Annual

## Where to spot

- [Hyner View State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hyner-view-state-park) — Pennsylvania, US · State Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Bromes: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bromes)