Brachypodium distachyon

Brachypodium distachyon_annual falsebrome_ JM Di Tomaso
Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Synonyms: Bromus distachya (L.) Link., Trachynia distachya (L.) Link

Common names: annual false-brome; false brome; purple false brome; stiff brome

Brachypodium distachyon (annual false-brome, false-brome, purple false-brome) is a winter annual grass (family Poaceae) that is locally abundant in drier regions of California. Its native range is Eurasia with a primary distribution center in the Mediterranean. Annual false-brome has been introduced and become problematic across several other regions of the world. This grass can be distinguished from other invasive grasses by having a flattened and compact inflorescence, a relatively short stature, culms that may be angled, and nodes that are hairy. Leaves are greenish blue with stiffened hairs; plants feel rough to the touch. Brachypodium distachyon occurs primarily in dry, open, or disturbed sites and flowers later than most other annual grasses. It can outcompete native plants and leaves a persistent thatch that increases fuel load and impacts native seed germination.

Cal-IPC Rating: Moderate?

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.

Species ID Card

Invasive Species ID Card - To support field identification of early detection species, Cal-IPC has designed a set of Species ID cards that can be downloaded, printed double-sided, and trimmed to size.

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

  • Symposium tool sampler. Schohr, Tracy; Williams, Andrea; Norelli, Nicole; Newhouser, Mark. Vol 25, Issue 3

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 Brachypodium distachyon 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.
  • GBIF - Global distribution information.
  • 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

    Brachypodium-distachyon_growth-habit_Ron-Vanderhoff_cropped
    Brachypodium distachyon (annual false-brome) growth habit. Photo: Ron Vanderhoff
    Brachypodium-distachyon_inflorescence_Ron-Vanderhoff_cropped
    Brachypodium distachyon (annual false-brome) inflorescence. Photo: Ron Vanderhoff
    Brachypodium distachyon_spikelet_Ron Vanderhoff_cropped
    Brachypodium distachyon (annual false-brome) spikelet. Photo: Ron Vanderhoff
    Brachypodium distachyon_culms and nodes_ZoyaAkulova
    Brachypodium distachyon (annual false-brome) culms and nodes. Photo: Zoya Akulova