Heath false brome (Brachypodium pinnatum, Ess. Agrostogr.: 101, 155 (1812))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (L.) P.Beauv.

Bibliography: Ess. Agrostogr.: 101, 155 (1812)

Year: 1812

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Brachypodium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Medit. to Iran and Eritrea, Europe to Mongolia

Description

Heath false brome, scientifically known as Brachypodium pinnatum, is a perennial grass that belongs to the Poaceae family. It is a species that thrives across a wide geographical range, spanning from the Mediterranean region to Iran and Eritrea, as well as from Europe to Mongolia. The plant was first described in scientific literature in 1812, an effort credited to the noted botanist (L.) P. Beauv.

Characteristic of many grasses in the Poaceae family, Heath false brome features slender, upright stems topped with dense clusters of spikelets, which house the plant’s seeds. This structure not only aids in the efficient dispersal of seeds but also contributes to the plant’s adaptability across various climates and terrains.

The foliage of Brachypodium pinnatum is typically lush green, composed of linear, blade-like leaves that are both firm and slightly rough to the touch. These leaves are ideal for the plant’s survival in diverse ecosystems ranging from dry, rocky hillsides to fertile grasslands. This species is particularly well-suited to temperate zones but also demonstrates resilience in more arid and variable climates.

Heath false brome plays a crucial ecological role wherever it is found. It often acts as a ground cover, preventing soil erosion and creating a beneficial microhabitat for various insects and small wildlife. Furthermore, its adaptability makes it a valuable species for studying plant responses to environmental changes and stresses.

In summary, Heath false brome exemplifies the diversity and adaptability of the Poaceae family, with its extensive presence and ecological benefits underscoring its importance in various habitats from the Mediterranean basin to the far reaches of Mongolia.

Common Names

Dan: bakke-stilkaks
Deu: fieder-zwenke, fiederzwenke, gewöhnliche fiederzwenke
Eng: heath false brome, japanese false bromegrass, chalk false brome, tor grass, heath false-brome, tor-grass
Swe: backskafting, mäkilehtoluste, axlosta, spärrlosta
Fra: brachypode penné
Nld: gevinde kortsteel
Nno: kalkgrønaks
Nob: kalkgrønnaks
Fin: mäkilehtoluste
Ces: vále
Cym: breichwellt y calch, breichwellt y tŵr
Gla: brómas reatha
En: Heath false brome, Japanese false bromegrass, Chalk false brome, Tor grass, Heath False-brome, Tor-grass, Chalk False-brome
Ca: Agropir glauc, Fenàs pinnat
Cs: Vále
Da: Bakke-stilkaks
Nl: Gevinde kortsteel
Fi: Mäkilehtoluste
Fr: Brachypode penné, Palène
De: Fieder-Zwenke, Fiederzwenke, Gewöhnliche Fiederzwenke
It: Brachipodio pennato, Paléo comune
Nb: Kalkgrønnaks
Nn: Kalkgrønaks
Gd: Brómas reatha
Es: Lastón
Sv: Backskafting, Mäkilehtoluste, Axlosta, Spärrlosta
Cy: Breichwellt y Calch, Breichwellt y Tŵr

Synonyms

• Brachypodium pinnatum var. glabrescens (Coss. & Germ.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum subvar. villosum ((Lej. & Courtois) St.-Yves)
• Tragus pinnatus ((L.) Panz.)
• Brachypodium corniculatum (Dumort.)
• Brachypodium juzepczukii ((Tzvelev) Tzvelev)
• Brachypodium rupestre f. scholzii (Soó)
• Brachypodium pinnatum f. leiostachys (Soó)
• Triticum bromoides (Weber)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. glabrum (Rchb.)
• Bromus pinnatus var. gracilis (Lilj.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum subsp. rupestre ((Host) Schübl. & G.Martens)
• Brachypodium pinnatum subvar. megastachyum ((R.Uechtr. ex Asch. & Graebn.) Hayek)
• Bromus cespitosus (Host)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. genuense ((DC.) J.Woods)
• Festuca pinnata ((L.) Huds.)
• Triticum pinnatum var. hispidum (Parn.)
• Brachypodium contractum (C.Presl)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. rupestre ((Host) Rchb.)
• Brachypodium barrelieri (Roem. & Schult.)
• Brachypodium setifolium (Schur)
• Bromus pinnatus (L.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. collinum ((Rchb.) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. cespitosum ((Host) W.D.J.Koch)
• Brachypodium pinnatum subsp. juzepczukii (Tzvelev)
• Bromus tigurinus (Suter)
• Brachypodium rupestre var. setifolium ((Schur) Soó)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. villosissimum (Domin)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. ligulatum ((Buia) Anghel & Beldie)
• Agropyron pinnatum ((L.) Chevall.)
• Agropyron gracile (Chevall.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum subvar. gracile (St.-Yves)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. pubescens (Rchb.)
• Brachypodium constrictum (Hook.f.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum f. cespitosum ((Host) Bolzon)
• Brachypodium pinnatum subvar. rupestre ((Host) St.-Yves)
• Brachypodium genuense ((DC.) Roem. & Schult.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. glomeratum (Zimm.)
• Avena laeta (Salisb.)
• Bromus pinnatus var. tigurinus (Suter)
• Festuca barrelieri (Ten.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. villosum (Lej. & Courtois)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. brevius (Gray)
• Brachypodium intermedium (Schur)
• Triticum barrelieri ((Ten.) Kunth)
• Brachypodium cespitosum (Roem. & Schult.)
• Brachypodium abbreviatum (Dumort.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum f. minus ((Schur) Anghel & Beldie)
• Brachypodium pinnatum f. pubescens (Pamp.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. abbreviatum ((Dumort.) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Triticum pinnatum var. hirsutum (Parn.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum subvar. glabrum ((Rchb.) Coss. & Germ.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum subsp. caespitosum ((Host) Hack.)
• Festuca genuensis ((DC.) Pollini)
• Brachypodium rupestre ((Host) Roem. & Schult.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. glaucum (Gaudin & Monnard)
• Brachypodium pinnatum subsp. ligulatum (Buia)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. glabratum (Spenn.)
• Brachypodium rupestre subsp. cespitosum ((Host) H.Scholz)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. setifolium ((Schur) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Brachypodium caespitosum var. collinum (Rchb.)
• Bromus corniculatus (Lam.)
• Triticum pinnatum var. compositum (Parn.)
• Brachypodium tenoreanum (Schult.)
• Triticum pinnatum ((L.) Moench)
• Bromus gracilis var. pauper (Schrank)
• Festuca pinnata var. glabra (Coss. & Germ.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum subsp. gracile (Soó)
• Brachypodium pinnatum f. setifolium ((Schur) Bolzon)
• Festuca rupestris ((Host) Roth)
• Brachypodium rupestre f. abbreviatum ((Dumort.) Soó)
• Triticum genuense (DC.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. megastachyum (R.Uechtr. ex Asch. & Graebn.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum subsp. glaucovirens (Murb.)
• Brachypodium hickelis (Sennen ex St.-Yves)
• Brachypodium pinnatum subvar. glabrescens ((Coss. & Germ.) St.-Yves)
• Triticum pinnatum var. corniculatum (Mathieu)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. minus (Schur)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. hispidum ((Parn.) Plues)
• Triticum pinnatum var. abbreviatum ((Dumort.) Mathieu)
• Brachypodium pinnatum f. patens (Merino & Roman)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. macedonicum (Kit.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. bracteatum (Le Gall)
• Brachypodium pinnatum f. collinum ((Rchb.) Posp.)
• Brachypodium tenerum (Velen.)
• Brachypodium ponticum (Velen.)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. barrelieri ((Ten.) J.Woods)
• Brachypodium pinnatum subsp. cespitosum ((Host) Hack.)
• Bromus rupestris (Host)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Altay (native)
• Austria (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• Chita (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• Denmark (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Finland (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Krasnoyarsk (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Mongolia (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• North European Russi (native)
• Northwest European R (native)
• Norway (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Tuva (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• West Siberia (native)
• Yakutskiya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• California (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Jul 22, 2022 by Dr. Suheel Ahmad (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2022 by Dr. Suheel Ahmad (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2021 by Bert Geerdes (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2021 by jaime (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 28, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude CALAIS (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 18, 2019 by Tuccio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2018 by Tela Botanica − José Luis Romero Rego (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 7, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Pascal BERGEOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

Taken Jul 7, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Pascal BERGEOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Aug 2, 2021 by lorenzo pellizzari (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 14, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude CALAIS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 30, 2018 by Denis Bastianelli (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Yann QUELEN (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Jul 4, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 15, 2007 by Tela Botanica − Laurent PETIT (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5290142)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:393166-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Brachypodium pinnatum (L.) P.Beauv.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 5

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Soil nutriments: 5