Home > Herbs > Bromus Inermis

Smooth Brome

Bromus inermis · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (1 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Smooth Brome, scientifically known as Bromus inernis, is a perennial bunchgrass native to North American prairies. While primarily valued for soil stabilization and forage, it possesses traditional medicinal significance. Used in various ecological contexts, this hardy grass plays a vital role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting medicinal plant habitats.

Family
Poaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Not available
Common names
Hungarian Brome · Awnless Brome · 1 more
Scientific synonyms
Bromopsis Australis · Bromus Subaustralis · 65 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Bromus inermis

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

German:

  • Wehrlose Trespe
  • Unbewehrte Trespe
  • Unbegrannte Trespe
  • Unbegrannte Trespe
  • Grannenlose Trespe

French:

  • brome inerme
  • Brome sans aretes

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and order Poales, it is further categorized under the family Poaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Bromus.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Poales
Family Poaceae
Genus Bromus

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific presence across several regions within Northern Europe. Its geographical range includes the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. It can also be found growing within the landscapes of Finland. Furthermore, the species is distributed across the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its documented locations extend to the unique terrain of Iceland.

Region Area
Northern Europe Denmark
Northern Europe Finland
Northern Europe Great Britain
Northern Europe Iceland
Northern Europe Ireland
Northern Europe Norway
Northern Europe Sweden
Middle Europe Austria
Middle Europe Belgium
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Bromus inermis is characterized by a broad environmental tolerance and a highly versatile distribution across various altitudinal gradients. This species is capable of inhabiting a wide range of elevations, starting from sea level (0 m AMSL) and extending up to a maximum altitude of 4400 m AMSL, with a mean elevational range centered around 2250 m AMSL. While it is frequently documented in lowland habitats, its ability to persist across such a vast vertical expanse allows it to adapt to diverse climatic conditions and topographical variations.

Elevational range max:
4400 m AMSL
Elevational range mean:
2250 m AMSL
Elevational range min:
0 m AMSL
Habitat :
Lowland

Life history

The life history of Bromus inermis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. It functions as a hemicryptophyte, a life form where the perennating buds are located at or just below the soil surface, often protected by leaf litter or debris. Additionally, it can be classified as a geophyte, relying on underground structures to survive unfavorable environmental conditions. Throughout its developmental stages, the plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage as it enters periods of dormancy.

Deciduousness :
deciduous
Life form :
geophyte
Life form :
hemicryptophyte
Lifecycle :
perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Bromus inermis is characterized by a graminoid growth form, functioning as a non-woody herb. It is a self-supporting, independent plant that does not exhibit climbing or parasitic behaviors. As a terrestrial species, it lacks aquatic or epiphytic tendencies, growing directly in soil environments. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a maximum height of 1 meter, with a minimum height of 0.3 meters and a mean height of approximately 0.6175 meters.

Aquatic :
terrestrial
Climber :
self-supporting
Epiphyte :
terrestrial
Growth form :
herb
Growth form :
graminoid
Parasite :
independent
Plant height max:
1 m
Plant height mean:
0.6175 m
Plant height min:
0.3 m
Woodiness :
non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Bromus inermis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, reflecting its metabolic approach to carbon fixation. The plant features non-carnivorous nutritional strategies, relying entirely on soil nutrients rather than insectivory. Its leaf morphology is defined by a linear form with entire margins, notably lacking any leaf thorns or spines. Structurally, the leaves exhibit a mean width of 0.7 cm (with both minimum and maximum measurements remaining consistent at 0.7 cm) and can reach a maximum length of 13 cm. The average leaf size is recorded at 27.96 cm², which, when combined with a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 219.32 cm²/g, provides insight into the plant's leaf density and its capacity for light interception and gas exchange.

Carnivory :
non-carnivorous
Leaf form :
linear
Leaf length max:
13 cm
Leaf margin :
entire
Leaf size mean:
27.96 cm²
Leaf spines :
no
Leaf thorns :
no
Leaf width mean:
0.7 cm
Photosynthetic pathway :
C3
Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:
219.32 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Bromus inermis is characterized by a sexual process involving bisexual flowers, although self-fertilization is notably absent. The flowering period typically commences in June and extends through July. As an abiotic pollinator, the plant relies on a wind-driven pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization. Once seeds are developed, they are dispersed via an anemochorous syndrome, utilizing the wind for movement. The resulting seeds are uniform in dimensions, with a mean length of 7.5 mm (ranging from a minimum to a maximum of 7.5 mm) and a mean width of 2 mm (with a consistent minimum and maximum of 2 mm). The seed mass is also highly specific, with a mean mass of approximately 0.003040125 g, falling within a range between a minimum of 0.002255 g and a maximum of 0.003335 g. There is no evidence of asexual reproduction in this species.

Dispersal syndrome :
anemochorous
Flowering time :
Jun
Flowering time :
Jul
Pollination syndrome :
wind
Pollination syndrome :
abiotic
Reproduction asexual :
absent
Reproduction sexual :
bisexual
Seed length mean:
7.5 mm
Seed mass max:
0.003335 g
Seed mass mean:
0.003040125 g
Seed mass min:
0.002255 g
Seed width mean:
2 mm
Self fertilization :
absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Bromus inermis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid.

Chemicals reported in Bromus inermis
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
Flavonoid 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Flavonoid

  1. Jundishapur journal of microbiology