Overview
Brachypodium is a genus of about 20 species of annual and perennial grasses (Poaceae) native to temperate Eurasia, the Mediterranean, and parts of Africa. The genus includes tufted and short-rhizomatous perennials such as B. sylvaticum and B. pinnatum, and the small annual B. distachyon, which is widely used as a research model for cereal genetics. Plants form clumps of flat, soft green leaf blades 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 cm) long and send up flowering stems 12 to 48 inches (30 to 120 cm) tall. The flower heads are slender, often nodding spike-like racemes carrying a few large, cylindrical spikelets, green ripening to straw-brown. Flowering occurs in summer. Brachypodium grows in woodland edges, clearings, grassland, and disturbed ground on a range of soils. Some species, including B. sylvaticum, have spread beyond their native range and are listed as invasive in parts of western North America, where they form dense stands in forest understorey. The grass dies back to its base over winter in cold climates.
Native Range
Brachypodium is native to temperate and Mediterranean Eurasia and parts of Africa, growing in woodland, grassland, and rocky slopes. Several species have naturalised in North America and other temperate regions, where some are regulated as invasive.Suggested Uses
Grown in naturalistic and woodland-edge plantings, meadows, and as a groundcover grass in shade or part sun where it is not classed as invasive. The annual B. distachyon is used mainly in research rather than gardens. Spacing of 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm) suits clump-forming species.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 4'
Width/Spread8" - 2'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in summer, mainly June to August, with the spike-like heads persisting for several weeks as they ripen from green to straw-brown. Pollination is by wind and the flowers have no petals. Seed sheds from late summer into autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
green ripening to straw-brownFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
