Relatives
Bromopsis ornans (Kom.) Holub. - Decorated brome.
Taxonomic position.
Family Poaceae Barnhart., genus Bromopsis Fourr.Synonyms.
Bromus ornans Kom., Bromus articus var. ornans (Kom.) Hult., Zerna ornans (Kom.) Nevski, Bromus articus sbsp. ornans (Kom.), Zerna pumpelliana subsp. ornans (Kom.) Tzvel., Bromus pumpelliana subsp. ornans (Kom.) Tzvel. comb. nova.Biology and morphology.
Perennial grass, with long rhizomes. Looks grey due to dense pubescence. Root system is well-developed. Stems erect, 30-80 cm tall, pubescent under panicles and in the nodes. Leaf sheathes pubescent; leaf blades 5-12 mm wide with very dense, soft pubescence on both sides. Ligule very short (1 mm). Panicle-like inflorescence erect with short branches, red in color. Spikelets are few, 2.0-3.0 cm long, consisting of 4-8 flowers. Awn-pointed glumes 0.7-1.0 cm long with 3 pubescent ridges. Lemmas 0.6-1.2 cm long with 5-7 ridges with silky hairs covering the entire surface; awn 2-4 mm long. Blossoms in July; seeds ripen in August. Cross-pollinated by wind. 2n = ?.Distribution.
Endemic species of the Far East (Russia).Ecology.
Occurs in meadows, along roads and rivers, in sandy soils and in soils of volcanic origin.Utilization and economic value.
Good forage and pasture species for areas with severe winters and poor soils. Can be used for hay, haylage. Improves soil structure and fertilization. Used for erosion control. Can be used as a lawn grass and decorative plant, too.Literature cited:
Brezhnev D.D., Korovina O.N. 1980. Wild relatives of the cultivated plants of flora of the USSR. L.: Kolos, 376 pp. (in Russian).Harkevich S.S., ed. 1985. Vascular Plants of Soviet Far East. Vol. 1. Saint Petersburg: Nauka, 390 p. (in Russian).
Harkevich S.S., ed. 1982. Wild fodder grasses of Fast East. Moscow: Nauka, 240 pp. (in Russian).
Malyshev L.I., Peshkova G.A., eds. 1990. Flora of Siberia. Vol. 2. Novosibirsk: Nauka, 361 pp. (in Russian).
Malyshev L.I., Peshkova G.A., eds. 1979. Flora of Central Siberia. Vol. 1. Novosibirsk: Nauka, 536 pp. (in Russian).
Rodjevitz P.U., Schischkin V.K., eds. 1937. Flora of the USSR. Vol. 2. M.-L.: USSR, 778 pp. (in Russian).
Tzvelev N.N. 1976. Poaceae USSR. L.: Nauka, 788 pp. (in Russian).