Bromus anomalus

Bromus anomalus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Subfamily:	Pooideae
Genus:	Bromus
Species:	B. anomalus
Binomial name
Bromus anomalus Rupr. ex Fourn.

Bromus anomalus, commonly known as nodding brome or the Mexican brome, is a species of perennial grass in the family Poaceae. It can be found in US states such as New Mexico and Texas and also in Canadian provinces such as Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan.

Description

Bromus anomalus grows in tufts with culms 45–75 cm (18–30 in) tall. Its leaf sheaths are pilose, but its ligules are hairless. The surfaces of its leaf blades are rough and scabrous, with hairs on both sides. Its inflorescence is an open, lanceolate panicle growing 10–15 cm (3.9–5.9 in) long. The branches of the panicle are wavy and lightly hairy, with the main branches usually drooping. The spikelets on the panicle are solitary. Fertile spikelets have pedicels, with seven to nine florets. At maturity the spikelets break up and disarticulate below each floret. The glumes are shorter than the spikelets. Both upper and lower glumes are lanceolate and glabrous or slightly hairy.

Bromus anomalus can be distinguished from the similar Bromus porteri by the presence of auricles in B. anomalus, as well as the midribs of its culm leaves narrowing below the collar.

Distribution and habitat

Bromus anomalus typically grows in temperate areas. Its native range is through Central America to the southern United States, from Panama up to Arizona and Texas.