Bromus catharticus
rescue brome
Overview
Bromus catharticus is a cool-season bunchgrass in the grass family, native to South America and widely naturalized across North America and other temperate regions. Grown as a forage and cover crop, it also appears as a weed of roadsides, fields, and disturbed ground. Plants form tufts of soft, flat green blades and send up flowering stems 24-40 inches (60-100 cm) tall. From spring into summer, the stems carry open, nodding clusters of strongly flattened spikelets, each holding several florets in two neat rows. The grass grows actively in cool weather, greening up in autumn and through mild winters, then flowering and setting abundant seed before summer heat. It grows in full sun on a wide range of soils with average moisture and self-sows freely, which can make it persistent where it is not wanted. As a short-lived grass, individual plants often behave as annuals or biennials. The dense seed heads and rapid reseeding let it spread into open ground quickly.
Native Range
Native to South America, especially Argentina and neighboring countries. It has naturalized widely in North America, Europe, Australia, and elsewhere, and is grown for pasture and erosion control.Suggested Uses
Grown as cool-season pasture, a winter cover crop, and for quick erosion control on bare soil. Sown or spaced about 12 inches (30 cm) apart, plants knit into a low turf-like cover. Used on slopes and disturbed ground where fast cool-season growth holds soil.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 3'4"
Width/Spread8" - 1'4"
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Greenish, flattened spikeletsFoliage Description
Green, flat, soft bladesGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-10 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
Grows in full sun on most soils, from sand to clay, with average moisture and good drainage. Water during dry spells to keep growth lush; the grass tolerates short drought but browns in summer heat. It greens up in autumn and grows through mild winters, making it a cool-season cover. Mow or cut back flowering stems before seed ripens to limit heavy self-seeding. No fertilizer is needed on average ground. Plants are short-lived and renew from self-sown seedlings.Pruning
Mow or shear flowering stems before the seed ripens to reduce self-seeding. Cut tired foliage back to renew the tuft. Clear dead growth in late summer as the plant slows.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summer
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons