Cheatgrass
Bromus tectorum
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, East Aegean Is., France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Krym, Kuwait, Lebanon-Syria, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Sinai, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Bromus
- Species:
- Bromus tectorum
- USDA Symbol:
- BRTE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 60 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Agrotis orthogonia, bicolored sallow (Neleucania bicolorata)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Rapidly colonizes burned areas and increases fire frequency by providing abundant fine fuel. Creates fire-grass cycle that displaces native vegetation.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- dry, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- often found in disturbed areas and roadsides
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 3–14 days
- Notes:
- Germinates readily in fall or early spring with moisture. Overwinters as seedling, rapid spring growth.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI