Slender False Brome
Slender False Brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum). Photo Credit: WNY PRISM
Additional Images
Common Name: Slender false brome
Scientific Name: Brachypodium sylvaticum
Origin: North Africa and Eurasia
Description
Slender false brome is a perennial grass that grows in dense clumps. This species has long, drooping, bright green leaves 5-12 mm wide, which can be covered in long, sparse hairs or may be hairless. Its flowering stalks grow up to 2 ft. high with drooping inflorescences. The flowers bloom and form seed between June and September.
Habitat
Slender false brome can grow in forest understories, open meadows, riparian sites and forest edges. It is often found along hiking and deer trails, as well as transportation corridors.
Threat
Slender false brome produces plentiful seeds which can easily spread on mowers, vehicles, hiking equipment, footwear and by deer. It quickly forms dense, single-species colonies which outcompete other vegetation. This plant is not palatable to wildlife or livestock.
Management
Spread prevention and containment efforts, which include cleaning off footwear, hiking gear and vehicles after entering infested areas, are important. Mowing and herbicide treatments are common control methods for this plant. Mowing year after year can exhaust the seed bank, but may need to be combined with other management methods to achieve full control. Manual removal (hand pulling, digging) is recommended only for small patches, and should be done during the spring (prior to flowering).
Regional Distribution
Locally Common
Slender false-brome is know from only a few locations in WNY PRISM. In addition, populations have been identified in the Ithaca and Syracuse areas within FL-PRISM, as well as small/isolated populations within LH PRISM.
WNY PRISM Priority
Early Detection Priority Species
Tier 2 – Eradication
NYS Invasive Species Tiers Chart – Tier Definitions
Pathways
It is unclear at this time how B. sylvaticum was introduced to the region, however it does appear to spread primarily by seed. Seed is transported by mowers and vehicles, and on hiking equipment/boots, as well as by deer.
Additional Resources:
Slender False Brome Identification Fact Sheet
GLSFBWG Page – Great Lakes Slender False Brome Working Group
NYS Department of Environmental Conservation – http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/108686.html
Institute for Applied Ecology – https://appliedeco.org/resources/fbwg/
Slender false brome is a prohibited species in New York State – for more information on Prohibited and Regulated Species, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/99141.html.
