Brachypodium sylvaticum
slender false brome
Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia
Overview
Brachypodium sylvaticum is a tufted perennial grass forming loose clumps 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall, with softly hairy, drooping flat leaf blades 0.2-0.5 inch (6-12 mm) wide and bright green in color. The flowering stems arch outward and carry a slender, nodding spike of 6 to 14 cylindrical spikelets arranged alternately along the axis, each spikelet bearing short straight awns. It flowers in mid to late summer, the spikes ripening to straw-brown as the seed matures. The plant grows in clumps that expand slowly outward rather than spreading by runners. It is typical of shaded and semi-shaded ground in deciduous woodland, hedge banks, and scrub, tolerating low light better than most grasses. In parts of western North America it has become an aggressive invasive, spreading into forests and crowding out native plants. A limitation is this invasive tendency outside its native range, where it forms dense stands on the forest floor.
Native Range
Brachypodium sylvaticum is native to Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia, where it grows in woodland and shaded grassland. It has been introduced to western North America and Australia, and is classed as an invasive weed in Oregon and neighbouring states.Suggested Uses
Brachypodium sylvaticum is used in shaded and woodland gardens within its native range, where it gives a soft, arching grassy texture in dry shade. It can be planted as ground-covering grass beneath trees and shrubs. The seed heads supply food for small birds in autumn. It is avoided in plantings in regions where it is classed as invasive.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread1' - 1'6"
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in mid to late summer, roughly July to August, with the nodding spikes emerging from the arching stems. The green spikelets ripen to straw-brown through late summer. Seed is shed from late summer into autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
green to straw-brownFoliage Description
bright greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-6 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Brachypodium sylvaticum grows in part shade to full shade in moist, humus-rich soil, and also tolerates full sun where moisture is adequate. It accepts a soil pH from about 5.0 to 7.5 and grows on clay, loam, and chalky soils. The grass forms slowly expanding clumps and self-seeds where conditions suit. It needs little care in a shaded border and tolerates dry shade once established. Cutting or grazing reduces seed production. In regions where the species is invasive, containment of seed spread is the main management concern.Pruning
The dead foliage and flower stems are cut back in late winter before new growth begins. Removing the seed heads before they ripen limits self-seeding. Clumps can be divided in spring to control their size.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons