Identification of brome species
Generally, brome species have long, grey green leaves with loose flower spikelets. They typically flower between May and August.
Anisantha species (sterile and great brome) germinate in the autumn and require a period of vernalization (cooling of the seed during germination) in order to flower. They germinate in the dark and exposure to light induces dormancy. Seed can remain viable for up to two years, which is why ploughing may bring old seed to the surface, causing a problem in the following crops.
Serrafalcus bromes (meadow, soft and rye brome) differ in that their seeds need light and a period of maturation to germinate. Cultivation after harvest should be delayed for a month to prevent inducing dormancy, after which seeds can remain viable for 7 – 10 years.