California Brome
Bromus carinatus Hook. & Arn. (B. breviaristatus [Hook.] Thurb., B. carinatus vars. linearis Shear and marginatus [Nees] A.S. Hitchc., B. hookerianus Thurb., B. marginatus Nees, B. sitchensis var. marginatus [Nees] Boivin)
overview
Can be invasive/aggressive but is effective and attractive as a single drift at the back of a border. Good all-season character. Do not over-fertilize in a landscape setting or the plant will become over-aggressive and control may be required. Photo by Toni Corelli.
other names
n/a
family
Poaceae
ecological setting
A variety of open habitats in B.C., south through Washington, Oregon to California. Occurs through boreal, temperate, cool, semi-arid and marginally summer-dry mesothermal climates. More a Cordilleran species than a coastal species, except in the dry Coastal Douglas-fir zone. Increases with increasing temperatures and decreases with increasing precipitation (Klinka et al.).
soil texture
Coarse textured, free-draining soils.
nutrients
n/a
soil reaction salinity
n/a
moisture regime
Prefers dry, moisture-deficient sites but tolerates some moisture (S. Bastin, personal communication).
shade tolerance
Sun to light shade (S. Bastin, personal communication).
successional status
n/a
bec zone subzone status
n/a
site rehabilitation
Excellent species for dry sites and for stabilizing banks and slopes.
wildlife
n/a
landscaping
Can be invasive/aggressive. Can be effective and attractive (S. Bastin, personal communication) as a single drift at the back of a border. Good all season character.
first nations
n/a
other uses
n/a
flowering time
n/a
fruit ripening time
July to early June.
seed collection time
n/a
crop intervals
n/a
no seeds per kg
88,180 - 180,780
seed viability
n/a
collection and abstraction
n/a
seed storage
n/a
fruit seed dormancy treatment
No stratification required. Quick to germinate.
vegetative propagation
Excellent results with plant division in early spring or fall.
additional info and photos
For more information and pictures, visit the E-Flora BC website at www.eflora.bc.ca.