Hairy chess (Bromus commutatus, Fl. Germ.: 353 (1806))

Family: Poaceae

Author: Schrad.

Bibliography: Fl. Germ.: 353 (1806)

Year: 1806

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Bromus

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Caucasus, N. Africa to Iran

Description

Hairy chess, scientifically known as Bromus commutatus, is a notable species within the Poaceae family. This grass species boasts a broad native range, encompassing much of Europe and stretching into the Caucasus region. It also extends into Northern Africa and reaches as far as Iran, demonstrating a wide adaptability to various climates and terrains.

First described in the early 19th century, the official documentation of Bromus commutatus can be traced back to Schrad’s work published in “Flora Germanica” in 1806, ensuring this species has been part of botanical studies for over two centuries. Its persistence across a diverse array of geographic locations highlights its evolutionary success and ecological versatility.

Hairy chess is recognized for its distinctive morphology, typically characterized by a somewhat “hairy” appearance, which aptly contributes to its common name. Like many grasses within the Poaceae family, this species plays a significant role in its ecosystems, possibly contributing to local biodiversity by providing habitat and food sources for various fauna.

Given its extensive distribution and historical botanical documentation, Bromus commutatus continues to be a subject of interest for botanists and ecologists alike. This widespread grass not only represents a piece of the natural heritage across multiple regions but also exemplifies the intricate connections within the plant kingdom.

Common Names

Heb: bromit ha’shipon, ברומית השיפון
Eng: hairy chess, meadow brome, hairy brome
Dan: mangeblomstret hejre
Deu: verwechselte trespe, wiesen-trespe
Est: aasluste
Swe: brinklosta, vaihdokaskattara
Lav: mainīg
Ces: sveřep lu
Fin: vaihdokaskattara
Nno: vegfaks
Nob: veifaks
Fra: brome variable, brome confondu
Cym: pawrwellt mwyaf y maes, pawrwellt y ddôl
En: Hairy chess, Meadow brome, Meadow Bromegrass, Hairy brome
Ar: شويعرة المروج
Be: Каласоўнік гронкавісты
Bg: Обикновена овсига
Ca: Bromus pratense
Zh: 歐雀麥, 黑麥狀雀麥
Cs: Sveřep luční, Sveřep lu
Da: Mangeblomstret hejre
Nl: Grote Trosdravik
Et: Aasluste
Fi: Vaihdokaskattara
Fr: Brome variable, Brome confondu
De: Verwechselte Trespe, Wiesen-Trespe, Wiesentrespe, Verwechselte-Trespe
He: Bromit ha’shipon, ברומית השיפון, ברומית מתפרקת
It: Forasacco allungato
Lv: Mainīg
Nb: Veifaks
Nn: Vegfaks
Pt-br: Cevadilha-do-prado
Es: Bromo confuso
Sv: Brinklosta, Vaihdokaskattara
Zh-tw: 歐雀麥
Cy: Pawrwellt y ddôl, Pawrwellt Mwyaf y Maes

Synonyms

• Bromus secalinus subsp. commutatus ((Schrad.) Lloret)
• Brachypodium commutatum ((Schrad.) P.Beauv.)
• Bromus mutabilis var. commutatus ((Schrad.) F.W.Schultz)
• Serrafalcus racemosus subsp. commutatus ((Schrad.) Rouy)
• Bromus mollis var. commutatus ((Schrad.) Bab.)
• Festuca racemosa var. commutata ((Schrad.) T.Marsson)
• Bromus racemosus var. commutatus ((Schrad.) Coss. & Durieu)
• Bromus decumbens var. commutatus ((Schrad.) Petif)
• Bromus squarrosus subsp. commutatus ((Schrad.) Maire & Weiller)
• Bromus racemosus subsp. commutatus ((Schrad.) Maire & Weiller)
• Forasaccus commutatus ((Schrad.) Bubani)
• Serrafalcus racemosus var. commutatus ((Schrad.) Husn.)
• Serrafalcus commutatus ((Schrad.) Bab.)
• Bromus hordeaceus var. commutatus ((Schrad.) Fiori)
• Bromus simplex var. commutatus ((Schrad.) Pauquy)
• Bromus racemosus var. glabriglumis (Maire & Weiller)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Lesotho (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Northwest European R (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken May 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2022 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 27, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jun 6, 2020 by Richard Thomas (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2022 by Ilaria Mosti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Leaf

Taken Apr 17, 2020 by jerome Richard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 21, 2019 by Tela Botanica − Samuel Loison (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 18, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 15, 2010 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Gaël GICQUIAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 27, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Dominique REMAUD (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2703778)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:393635-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Bromus commutatus Schrad.)

Specifications

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 7

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 6