A native perennial occurring as a single plant or in small bunches. The erect stems are 2-5 feet tall. Leaves up to 14 inches long and 1/2 inch wide with roughened margins are rather loosely spaced along the whole length of the stem (B). Leaf sheaths and stems are smooth and hairless (C). The flower cluster is a dense, erect panicle from 4-10 inches long. Except for a short section near the base, the ascending branches are covered with closely packed spikelets (A). The base of the panicle is often enclosed within the upper leaf sheath.
Floodplain woods, moist ravines, ditches, streambanks. This plant is common in Fontenelle Forest on Cottonwood Trail. At Neale Woods is is common on Missouri River Ecology Trail near Rock Creek. Flowering occurs from July to September.
Ear-leaf brome (Bromus latiglumis), found in similar moist habitats, also flowers at the same time. It has a drooping panicle, leaf sheaths covered with fine hairs, and conspicuous projections (auricles) where the leaf base joins the stem.
The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Neal Ratzlaff.