Bromus breviaristatus

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Bromus breviaristatus
Light:Full Sun Part Shade
Moisture:Xeric Mesic
Soil pH:5.6-8.4
Height:2'
Open Woods Forest
Native to:
Edible Rating:PFAF Edibility Rating
Tea:Yes
Poisonous

Bromus breviaristatus (common name: mountain brome)

Propagation: Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ and only just cover. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.

If seed is in short supply it can be surface sown in a cold frame in early spring. When large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and plant them out in early summer.

Division in spring. Large clumps can be planted out direct into their permanent positions whilst it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are ready to be planted out.

Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. This plant has potential as a perennial cereal. The seed is small but can be harvested 2 - 3 times a year if the plants are well grown and fertilized[1]. It is considered to be a part of B. carinatus by some botanists[2]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.

Succeeds in a sunny position in most well-drained soils[3][4].

Range: Western N. America - Manitoba to British Columbia, south to Iowa, Arizona and California.

Habitat: Various habitats from moist woods to dry open meadows or sagebrush covered hills, sometimes to the timber line[2].

Edibility: Seed - cooked[5][6]. Used as a piñole[1]. The seed is very small and fiddly to use[K].

Pollinators: Wind

Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.

Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.

Flower Type: Hermaphrodite

Also Known As: B. marginatus breviaristatus (Buckl.)Beetle.

Links

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Hitchcock, Leo. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of Washington Press, 1955.
  3. Bird, R. Growing from Seed Volume 3. Thompson and Morgan, 1989.
  4. Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
  5. Yanovsky, Elias. Food Plants of the North American Indians Publication 237. US Department of Agriculture.
  6. Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.