Meadow brome (Bromus commutatus)

Present distribution

Scientific name:	Bromus commutatus Schrad.
Common name(s):	meadow brome

Map showing the present distribution of this weed.

Habitat:

“Most frequent on the moist soils of the lowlands; rare in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland; in England often abundant in water-meadows; also on cultivated and waste land, roadsides, hayfields, and rough grassland” (Hubbard 1968). “A weed of waste land and open ground” (Dore and McNeill 1980). Habitat: waste places, rotation crops, perennial crops and grassland (Hafliger and Scholz 1981). “Native [of the British Isles]. In meadows, grassy places and on arable land” (Clapham et al. 1952). “Riverside meadows and arable land” (Martin 1965). “Waste ground, fields” (Mohlenbrock 2002). “In clover and lucerne fields, rarer in grass seed crops. On moist, usually loamy soils. In poached meadows, moist to dry places. Also on banks and rubbish tips” (Behrendt and Hanf 1979). “Grows in pasture fields and disturbed ground” (Planchuelo and Peterson 2000). “Most species [of Bromus] are very frost hardy” (Bodkin 1986).

Potential distribution

Potential distribution produced from CLIMATE modelling refined by applying suitable landuse and vegetation type overlays with CMA boundaries

Map Overlays Used

Land Use:
Broadacre cropping; horticulture perennial; horticulture seasonal; pasture dryland; pasture irrigation; water

Ecological Vegetation Divisions
Freshwater wetland (permanent); treed swampy wetland; lowland forest; foothills forest; forby forest; high altitude wetland; alpine treeless; granitic hillslopes; rocky outcrop shrubland; semi-arid woodland; alluvial plains woodland; ironbark/box; riverine woodland/forest

Colours indicate possibility of Bromus commutatus infesting these areas.

In the non-coloured areas the plant is unlikely to establish as the climate, soil or landuse is not presently suitable.

map showing the potential distribution of bromus commutatus

Red= Very high	Orange = Medium
Yellow = High	Green = Likely

Impact

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Social
1. Restrict human access?	“Plant loosely tufted, height up to 90cm” (Behrendt and Hanf 1979). “Loosely tufted or solitary” (Hubbard 1968). Minimal or negligible impact. (i.e. can go anywhere).	L	M
2. Reduce tourism?	“Plant loosely tufted, height up to 90 cm” (Behrendt and Hanf 1979). “Loosely tufted or solitary” (Hubbard 1968). Minor affects to aesthetics and/or recreational uses (i.e. aware but not bothered or activity inhibited).	ML	M
3. Injurious to people?	“Though some [Bromus] are browsed by livestock the rough awns can cause internal damage to the animals and may damage their pelts” (Bodkin 1986). May cause some physiological issues (e.g. hayfever, minor rashes, minor damage from spines and burrs at certain times of year).	ML	M
4. Damage to cultural sites?	“Plant loosely tufted, height up to 90 cm” (Behrendt and Hanf 1979). Moderate visual affect.	ML	ML
Abiotic
5. Impact flow?	“Most frequent on the moist soils of the lowlands; rare in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland; in England often abundant in water-meadows; also on cultivated and waste land, roadsides, hayfields, and rough grassland” (Hubbard 1968). “A weed of waste land and open ground” (Dore and McNeill 1980). Habitat: waste places, rotation crops, perennial crops and grassland (Hafliger and Scholz 1981). “Native [of the British Isles]. In meadows, grassy places and on arable land” (Clapham et al. 1952). “Riverside meadows and arable land” (Martin 1965). “Waste ground, fields” (Mohlenbrock 2002). “In clover and lucerne fields, rarer in grass seed crops. On moist, usually loamy soils. In poached meadows, moist to dry places. Also on banks and rubbish tips” (Behrendt and Hanf 1979). “Grows in pasture fields and disturbed ground” (Planchuelo and Peterson 2000). Little or negligible affect on water flow.	L	MH
6. Impact water quality?	“Most frequent on the moist soils of the lowlands; rare in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland; in England often abundant in water-meadows; also on cultivated and waste land, roadsides, hayfields, and rough grassland” (Hubbard 1968). “A weed of waste land and open ground” (Dore and McNeill 1980). Habitat: waste places, rotation crops, perennial crops and grassland (Hafliger and Scholz 1981). “Native [of the British Isles]. In meadows, grassy places and on arable land” (Clapham et al. 1952). “Riverside meadows and arable land” (Martin 1965). “Waste ground, fields” (Mohlenbrock 2002). “In clover and lucerne fields, rarer in grass seed crops. On moist, usually loamy soils. In poached meadows, moist to dry places. Also on banks and rubbish tips” (Behrendt and Hanf 1979). “Grows in pasture fields and disturbed ground” (Planchuelo and Peterson 2000). No noticeable effect on dissolved 0₂ or light levels.	L	MH
7. Increase soil erosion?	No information found.	M	L
8. Reduce biomass?	No information found.	M	L
9. Change fire regime?	No information found.	M	L
Community Habitat
10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC	EVC = Semi-arid Woodland (V); CMA = Mallee; Bioregion = Murray Mallee; VH CLIMATE potential. Impacts unknown.	M	L
(b) medium value EVC	EVC = Grassy Dry Forest (D); CMA =Port Phillip and Western Port; Bioregion = Central Victorian Uplands; VH CLIMATE potential. Impacts unknown.	M	L
(c) low value EVC	EVC = Lowland Forest (LC); CMA = Glenelg Hopkins; Bioregion = Victorian Volcanic Plain; VH CLIMATE potential. Impacts unknown.	M	L
11. Impact on structure?	No information found.	M	L
12. Effect on threatened flora?	No information found.	M	L
Fauna
13. Effect on threatened fauna?	No information found.	M	L
14. Effect on non-threatened fauna?	No information found.	M	L
15. Benefits fauna?	No information found.	M	L
16. Injurious to fauna?	“Though some [Bromus] are browsed by livestock the rough awns can cause internal damage to the animals and may damage their pelts” (Bodkin 1986). Spines, burrs or toxic properties to fauna at certain times of the year.	MH	M
Pest Animal
17. Food source to pests?	“None of the species of the Serrafalcus group of Bromus has any fodder value in the British Isles; they are generally regarded as weeds” (Hubbard 1968). Provides minimal food for pest animals.	L	ML
18. Provides harbour?	“Plant loosely tufted, height up to 90 cm” (Behrendt and Hanf 1979). “Loosely tufted or solitary” (Hubbard 1968). No harbour for pest spp.	L	ML
Agriculture
19. Impact yield?	“None of the species of the Serrafalcus group of Bromus has any fodder value in the British Isles; they are generally regarded as weeds” (Hubbard 1968). “Grows in pasture fields and disturbed ground” (Planchuelo and Peterson 2000). Minor impact on quantity of produce (e.g. <5% reduction).	ML	M
20. Impact quality?	“Though some [Bromus] are browsed by livestock the rough awns can cause internal damage to the animals and may damage their pelts” (Bodkin 1986). Serious impacts on quality (e.g. >20% reduction). – Produce rejected for sale or export.	H	M
21. Affect land value?	“Though some [Bromus] are browsed by livestock the rough awns can cause internal damage to the animals and may damage their pelts” (Bodkin 1986). “None of the species of the Serrafalcus group of Bromus has any fodder value in the British Isles; they are generally regarded as weeds” (Hubbard 1968). “Grows in pasture fields and disturbed ground” (Planchuelo and Peterson 2000). Decreases in land value <10%.	M	ML
22. Change land use?	“In England often abundant in water-meadows; also on cultivated and waste land, roadsides, hayfields and rough grassland… None of the species of the Serrafalcus group of Bromus has any fodder value in the British Isles; they are generally regarded as weeds” (Hubbard 1968). Habitat: waste places, rotation crops, perennial crops and grassland (Hafliger and Scholz 1981). “Riverside meadows and arable land” (Martin 1965). “In clover and lucerne fields, rarer in grass seed crops” (Behrendt and Hanf 1979). “Grows in pasture fields and disturbed ground” (Planchuelo and Peterson 2000). “Meadow brome (Bromus commutatus) should be left on the soil surface for around 28 days prior to any tillage. This exposes the seed to the elements, particularly warmer temperatures, minimising dormancy. Hence, where possible, it may be worth removing straw. However, with meadow brome care in handling the straw is needed since there is likely to be substantial quantities of seed remaining in it. Subsequently, it is then best to bury the seed with good quality ploughing and only an extremely small proportion of the seed will retain viability after a years burial” (Clarke and Orson 2000). This information suggests that this is a plant that occurs in pasture and crops but can be controlled to a certain degree. Little or no change.	L	M
23. Increase harvest costs?	“Though some [Bromus] are browsed by livestock the rough awns can cause internal damage to the animals and may damage their pelts” (Bodkin 1986). “None of the species of the Serrafalcus group of Bromus has any fodder value in the British Isles; they are generally regarded as weeds” (Hubbard 1968). “Grows in pasture fields and disturbed ground” (Planchuelo and Peterson 2000). Although this species is regarded as a weed and has some negative effects to produce, it is not reported as impacting upon harvesting techniques or costs. Little or none.	L	ML
24. Disease host/vector?	“In a number of further experiments with B. commutatus the susceptibility of this species to PVX [potato virus x] was confirmed, but surprisingly, no more than 10-20% of the inoculated plants ever became infected after one inoculation… Therefore, there seems to be little danger that this wild grass species will act as a natural source of PVX infection of potato crops” (Beemster 1977). Little or no host.	L	M

Invasive

QUESTION	COMMENTS	RATING	CONFIDENCE
Establishment
1. Germination requirements?	“Germination period spring to autumn” (Behrendt and Hanf 1979). “Meadow brome (Bromus commutatus) should be left on the soil surface for around 28 days prior to any tillage. This exposes the seed to the elements, particularly warmer temperatures, minimising dormancy” (Clarke and Orson 2000). Requires natural seasonal disturbances such as seasonal rainfall, spring/summer temperatures for germination.	MH	M
2. Establishment requirements?	“Most frequent on the moist soils of the lowlands; rare in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland; in England often abundant in water-meadows; also on cultivated and waste land, roadsides, hayfields, and rough grassland” (Hubbard 1968). “A weed of waste land and open ground” (Dore and McNeill 1980). Habitat: waste places, rotation crops, perennial crops and grassland (Hafliger and Scholz 1981). “Native [of the British Isles]. In meadows, grassy places and on arable land” (Clapham et al. 1952). “Riverside meadows and arable land” (Martin 1965). “Waste ground, fields” (Mohlenbrock 2002). “In clover and lucerne fields, rarer in grass seed crops. On moist, usually loamy soils. In poached meadows, moist to dry places. Also on banks and rubbish tips” (Behrendt and Hanf 1979). “Grows in pasture fields and disturbed ground” (Planchuelo and Peterson 2000). Requires more specific requirements to establish (e.g. open space or bare ground with access to light and direct rainfall).	ML	M
3. How much disturbance is required?	“Most frequent on the moist soils of the lowlands; rare in Scotland, Wales, and Ireland; in England often abundant in water-meadows; also on cultivated and waste land, roadsides, hayfields, and rough grassland” (Hubbard 1968). “A weed of waste land and open ground” (Dore and McNeill 1980). Habitat: waste places, rotation crops, perennial crops and grassland (Hafliger and Scholz 1981). “Native [of the British Isles]. In meadows, grassy places and on arable land” (Clapham et al. 1952). “Riverside meadows and arable land” (Martin 1965). “Waste ground, fields” (Mohlenbrock 2002). “In clover and lucerne fields, rarer in grass seed crops. On moist, usually loamy soils. In poached meadows, moist to dry places. Also on banks and rubbish tips” (Behrendt and Hanf 1979). “Grows in pasture fields and disturbed ground” (Planchuelo and Peterson 2000). Establishes in highly disturbed natural ecosystems (e.g. roadsides, wildlife corridors, or areas which have a greater impact by humans such as tourist areas or campsites) or in overgrazed pastures/poorly growing or patchy crops.	ML	M
Growth/Competitive
4. Life form?	Listed in Grasses: A guide to their structure, identification, uses, and distribution in the British Isles (Hubbard 1968), Grasses of Ontario (Dore and McNeill 1980), Grass Weeds 2 (Hafliger and Scholz 1981), The Illustrated Flora of Illinois, Grasses: Bromus to Paspalum (Mohlenbrock 2002) and Grass Weeds in World Agriculture: Identification in the Flowerless State (Behrendt and Hanf 1979). Grass.	MH	MH
5. Allelopathic properties?	No information found.	M	L
6. Tolerates herb pressure?	“None of the species of the Serrafalcus group of Bromus has any fodder value in the British Isles; they are generally regarded as weeds” (Hubbard 1968). “Grows in pasture fields and disturbed ground” (Planchuelo and Peterson 2000). “Though some [Bromus] are browsed by livestock the rough awns can cause internal damage to the animals and may damage their pelts” (Bodkin 1986). Possibly consumed but non-preferred or consumed but recovers quickly; capable of flowering/ seed production under moderate herbivory pressure (where moderate = normal; not overstocking or heavy grazing).	MH	ML
7. Normal growth rate?	No information found.	M	L
8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc?	“In England often abundant in water-meadows” (Hubbard 1968). “In clover and lucerne fields, rarer in grass seed crops. On moist, usually loamy soils. In poached meadows, moist to dry places” (Behrendt and Hanf 1979). “Most species [of Bromus] are very frost hardy” (Bodkin 1986). May be highly resistant to waterlogging and frost. Unknown tolerance to others. Tolerant to at least two and susceptible to at least one.	ML	ML
Reproduction
9. Reproductive system	“Meadow brome (Bromus commutatus) should be left on the soil surface for around 28 days prior to any tillage. This exposes the seed to the elements, particularly warmer temperatures, minimising dormancy” (Clarke and Orson 2000). Does not root at the nodes (Hafliger and Scholz 1981). Definitely does not reproduce vegetatively. Known to produce seed but unknown if by self and cross pollination or by only either one. In worst case scenario it may be by both. Sexual (self and cross pollination).	ML	M
10. Number of propagules produced?	B. commutatus spikelets are 4-10 flowered… Loosely tufted or solitary (Hubbard 1968). Possible 320 seeds on one culm in photo (figure 6). “Plant loosely tufted” (Behrendt and Hanf 1979). Possibly multiple stems, but likely to have only 50-1000 seeds per plant.	ML	MH
11. Propagule longevity?	No information found.	M	L
12. Reproductive period?	“Annual or biennial, 40-120cm high” (Hubbard 1968). Mature plant produces viable propagules for only 1–2 years.	ML	MH
13. Time to reproductive maturity?	“Annual or biennial, 40-120cm high” (Hubbard 1968). Reaches maturity and produces viable propagules, or vegetative propagules become separate individuals, in under a year.	H	MH
Dispersal
14. Number of mechanisms?	“Meadow brome (Bromus commutatus) should be left on the soil surface for around 28 days prior to any tillage. This exposes the seed to the elements, particularly warmer temperatures, minimising dormancy. Hence, where possible, it may be worth removing straw. However, with meadow brome care in handling the straw is needed since there is likely to be substantial quantities of seed remaining in it. Subsequently, it is then best to bury the seed with good quality ploughing and only an extremely small proportion of the seed will retain viability after a years burial” (Clarke and Orson 2000). Propagules spread by attachment (humans, animals, or vehicles), or accidental human dispersal (ploughing).	MH	M
15. How far do they disperse?	“Meadow brome (Bromus commutatus) should be left on the soil surface for around 28 days prior to any tillage. This exposes the seed to the elements, particularly warmer temperatures, minimising dormancy. Hence, where possible, it may be worth removing straw. However, with meadow brome care in handling the straw is needed since there is likely to be substantial quantities of seed remaining in it. Subsequently, it is then best to bury the seed with good quality ploughing and only an extremely small proportion of the seed will retain viability after a years burial” (Clarke and Orson 2000). Very likely that at least one propagule will disperse greater one kilometre.	H	ML

References

Beemster A.B.R (1977) Bromus commutatus Schrad. A new host for potato virus x. Med. Fac. Landbouww. Rijksuniv. Gent, 42(2).

Behrendt S. and Hanf M. (1979). Grass Weeds in World Agriculture: Identification in the Flowerless State. BASF Aktiengesellschaft, Ludwigshafen.

Bodkin F. (1986) Encyclopaedia Botanica: The Essential Reference Guide to Native and Exotic Plants in Australia. Angus & Robertson.

Cheam, A.H. (Compiler) (1988) Brome Grass Research in Australia. Western Australian Dept. of Agriculture, Division of Plant Industry; South Perth, WA.

Clapham AR, Tutin TG and Warburg EF. (1952) Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press.

Clarke J. and Orson J. (2000) The future for grass weed management in the UK. Available at:
http://www.rsc.org/delivery/_ArticleLinking/DisplayArticleForFree.cfm?doi=b006322n&JournalCode=PO (verified 27/04/2010).

Dore W.G and McNeill J. (1980) Grasses of Ontario. Minister of Supply and Services Canada, Canada.

Hafliger E. and Scholz H. (1981) Grass Weeds 2. CIBA-GEIGY Ltd; Basle, Switzerland.

Hubbard C.E. (1968) Grasses: A Guide to Their Structure, Identification, Uses, and Distribution in the British Isles, 2nd Ed. Penguin Books; Harmondsworth, Middlesex, England.

Martin. W.K (1965) The Concise British Flora in Colour. Ebury Press and Michael Joseph.

Mohlenbrock R.H. (2002) Grasses: Bromus to Paspalum, 2nd Ed. Southern Illinois University Press; Southern Illinois University, United States of America.

Planchuelo A.M. and Peterson P.M. (2000) The species of Bromus (Poaceae: Bromeae) in South America. Grasses: Systematics and Evolution.

Global present distribution data references

Department of the Environment and Heritage (Commonwealth of Australia). (1993 – On-going) Australian Plant Name Index (APNI) http://www.cpbr.gov.au/apni/index.html (verified 09/03/2010).

Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) (2006) Flora information system [CD-ROM], Biodiversity and Natural Resources Section, Viridans Pty Ltd, Bentleigh.

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) (2008) Global biodiversity information facility, Available at http://www.gbif.org/ (verified 09/03/2010).

Integrated Taxonomic Information System. (2009) Available at http://www.itis.gov/ (verified 09/03/2010).

Missouri Botanical Gardens (MBG) (2010) w³TROPICOS, Missouri Botanical Gardens Database, Available at http://mobot.mobot.org/W3T/Search/vast.html (verified 09/03/2010).

United States Department of Agriculture. Agricultural Research Service, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN) [Online Database]. Taxonomy Query. (2007) Available at http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/taxgenform.pl (verified 09/03/2010).

Feedback

Do you have additional information about this plant that will improve the quality of the assessment?
If so, we would value your contribution. Click on the link to go to the feedback form.

Page top