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Mountain
Brome
Common
Name(s):
Mountain Brome
Scientific
Name:
Bromus
marginatus Nees ex Steud.
Scientific
Name Synonyms:
Bromus carinatus Hook.
& Arn.
Symbol:
BRMA
Description:
Life
Span: Perennial
Origin:Native
Season: Cool
Growth Characteristics:
An
erect, rather short-lived bunchgrass, growing up to 3 feet high,
without rhizomes. It starts growth in early spring, and seeds mature
by August. It reproduces from seeds and tillers. Seedlings are very
vigorous. Plants have a relatively short lifespan (4-5 years).
Seedhead:Erect panicle, 4 to 8 inches long,
branches erect to spreading; spikelets distinctly flattened, contain
5 to 9 florets; ¼ inch awn arises between the teeth of the
divided apex of lemma; lemmas hairy.
Leaves: Hairy;
blades 6 to 12 inches long, and up to 3/8 inches wide; leaves rolled
in bud; ligules membranous, about 1/8 inch long, rounded; auricles
absent.
Ecological
Adaptations:
Mountain brome
is a valuable native grass of nearly all of the mountainous area
of Utah at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 13,000 feet. Topographic
features where it grows include bottomland, mountain slopes, valleys,
and ridge tops.
Soils: It grows well in a wide variety
of soils including poorly drained types. It is most abundant in
moderately moist, well-developed, deep, medium-textured soils.
Associated Species:
Idaho
fescue, Richardson's
geranium, Columbia needlegrass,
bluebunch wheatgrass, and
aspen.
Uses and
Management:
Mountain
brome is an excellent grazing plant for cattle, horses, elk, and
fairly good forage for sheep and deer. The large seeds are eaten
by many small mammals, especially rodents, and also by birds. Forage
becomes harsh and fibrous at maturity.
Since it is fairly sensitive to grazing by the larger animals, it
requires careful management. Reducing the grazing pressure when
it is in the reproductive stages, or limiting the use to about 50
percent of the total annual growth, gives good results and response
by this plant, and will help to maintain this plant.
Mountain brome has been seeded for range revegetation and erosion
control. It is effective in improving water infiltration. Being
a short-lived perennial, it may not persist in seedings.
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