Rye Brome

Rye Brome - Bromus secalinus

Description

A tall grass which may reach a height of 1 metre. The spikelets have a broad appearance because the lemmas spread outwards rather than overlapping one another smoothly.

Similar Species

other Bromus.  This is a very difficult genus; the species are very variable, and often very small and with reduced numbers of spikelets in dry conditions.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Either obtain confirmation from a County Recorder before submitting a record, or submit detailed images showing key features.  We recommend that you take and retain a specimen; the County Recorder may wish to see this for confirmation. (RPR)

Habitat

Arable and waste ground.

When to see it

Flowers June and July.

Life History

Annual.

UK Status

England Red List: Near Threatened. GB Red List: Near Threatened.

VC55 Status

Formerly rare in Leicestershire and Rutland, it is increasing, possibly due to accidental inclusion in cereal seed.

In the Flora of Leicestershire (Primavesi and Evans 1988) it was found in 1 of the 617 tetrads, and was not recorded in the Flora of Rutland (Messenger 1971).

It is listed on the current VC55 Rare Plant Register (Hall and Woodward 2022) because of its national status 

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020

UK Map

Additional images

All NatureSpot records