Barren brome
Anisantha (previously Bromus) sterilis
Auricles
Absent.
Importance
An increasing problem throughout British Isles mainly on arable land, especially in continuous cereals. Mainly a problem on headlands but can spread out into the field. Causes yield loss and lodging.
Description
Annual or biennial grass 30-90 cm. Tufted or solitary grass, green but reddish purple when mature. Heavy drooping panicle of spikelets 4-6 cm including awns, bearing 4-10 flowers. Up to 2,000 seeds per plant.
Leaf blade
Green but purple later. Flat, limp and finely pointed. Surface is rough with short hairs. Rolled in bud.
Ligule
Medium: 2-4 mm. Pointed and deeply serrated.
