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Lebsack, Tom

Bromus carinatus

Bromus carinatus Hook. & Arn.

California Brome

Poaceae (Grass Family)

Synonym(s): Bromus carinatus var. californicus, Bromus carinatus var. carinatus, Bromus carinatus var. hookerianus, Bromus laciniatus, Ceratochloa carinata

USDA Symbol: BRCA5

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (I), CAN (N)

California brome is a variable species, differing in, among other things, duration. Considered annuals, biennials & perennials, all appear actually to be short-lived perennials that sometimes flower the first season. The culms are usually 2-4 ft. tall with a narrow panicle. The branches of the seed head are usually erect, but may be drooping.

From the Image Gallery

2 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Annual
Habit: Grass/Grass-like
Root Type: Fibrous
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Fruit Type: Caryopsis
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Green

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Yellow
Bloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: CA , CO , KS , NM , OR , WA
Canada: AB , BC , ON , YT
Native Habitat: A variety of open or shaded, dry sites.

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Part Shade
CaCO3 Tolerance: Medium
Soil Description: Various dry soils.
Conditions Comments: Has been known to persist for several seasons, so can be treated somewhat like a perennial.

Benefit

Use Food: Seed harvested by indigenous Californians.
Use Other: Culms used in basketry by indigenous Californians.
Attracts: Birds

Propagation

Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Bibliography

Bibref 1218 - Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the Management of California's Natural Resources (2006) Anderson, M. Kat

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Bromus carinatus in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Bromus carinatus in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Bromus carinatus

Metadata

Record Modified: 2025-03-25
Research By: TWC Staff

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