Ramose false-brome (Brachypodium retusum, Ess. Agrostogr.: 101, 155 (1812))

Family: Poaceae

Author: (Pers.) P.Beauv.

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

Year: 1812

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Brachypodium

Vegetable: False

Observations: Medit. to Caucasus, Ethiopia to Arabian Pen.

Description

Ramose false-brome, scientifically known as Brachypodium retusum, is a noteworthy species within the Poaceae family, also recognized as the grass family. The detailed account and classification of Brachypodium retusum can be found in the seminal botanical work “Ess. Agrostogr.”, pages 101 and 155, published in 1812, authored by the renowned botanists Persoon and P. Beauvois.

This perennial grass is widely distributed across various regions, stretching from the Mediterranean to the Caucasus, and from Ethiopia to the Arabian Peninsula. Such a broad geographical range indicates its adaptability to diverse climatic conditions and soil types.

Brachypodium retusum is characterized by its ramose (branching) structure, which contributes to its ability to thrive in arid and semi-arid environments. This structural adaptation is crucial for water conservation and survival in regions with scarce rainfall.

As a member of the Poaceae family, Ramose false-brome exhibits typical grass-like features including linear leaves and a fibrous root system. Its inflorescence is composed of small spikelets, which are integral to its reproductive strategy, promoting efficient wind pollination.

The ecological significance of Brachypodium retusum cannot be overlooked. It plays a critical role in stabilizing soils in its native habitats, preventing erosion and maintaining the integrity of the terrain. Additionally, it serves as a forage plant for various herbivores, supporting the local biodiversity.

In summary, Brachypodium retusum, or Ramose false-brome, is an ecologically valuable grass species found across a vast expanse from the Mediterranean to parts of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its resilience and adaptive growth patterns make it a pivotal component of the ecosystems it inhabits.

Common Names

En: Ramose False-brome
Ca: Cerverol, Fenal, Fenàs reüll, Llistó
Fr: Brachypode rameux, Baouque, Herbe à mouton
It: Paléo delle garighe
Es: Fenal, Fenazo, Lastón
: Ramose false-brome

Synonyms

• Brachypodium caespitosum ((Desf.) C.Presl)
• Brachypodium allionii (C.Presl)
• Brachypodium wilsonis (Sennen ex St.-Yves)
• Brachypodium capillifolium (Sennen)
• Brachypodium willkommii (Sennen ex St.-Yves)
• Brachypodium phoenicoides var. bracteolatum (Guss.)
• Brachypodium ramosum var. roemeri (St.-Yves)
• Festuca phoenicoides var. ramosa ((Roth) Mutel)
• Brachypodium ramosum var. plukenetii ((All.) Asch. & Graebn.)
• Brachypodium boissieri f. aristatum (H.Lindb.)
• Bromus retusus (Pers.)
• Triticum obtusifolium ((Link) Boiss.)
• Brachypodium hostii (Link)
• Brachypodium plukenetii ((All.) C.Presl)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. ramosum ((Roem. & Schult.) Fiori)
• Brachypodium ramosum f. capillaceum (Maire)
• Brachypodium pinnatum subvar. mucronatum ((Willk.) Pérez Lara)
• Brachypodium pinnatum subvar. ramosum ((Roem. & Schult.) Pérez Lara)
• Brachypodium bofillii (Sennen)
• Brachypodium boissieri (Nyman)
• Brachypodium pinnatum var. mucronatum ((Willk.) Knoche)
• Brachypodium obtusifolium (Link)
• Brachypodium cespitosum var. ramosum ((Roth) Benth.)
• Brachypodium phoenicoides subvar. mucronatum ((Willk.) St.-Yves)
• Brachypodium ramosum var. scabriculme (Maire)
• Brachypodium ramosum f. plukenetii ((All.) Hayek)
• Brachypodium ramosum var. scoparium (Sennen)
• Brachypodium scoparium (Sennen)
• Brachypodium phoenicoides var. mucronatum ((Willk.) Henriq.)
• Brachypodium ramosum subvar. anatherum (St.-Yves)
• Bromus ramosus (L.)
• Brachypodium ramosum subvar. bofillianum (St.-Yves)
• Brachypodium ramosum subsp. euramosum (St.-Yves)
• Brachypodium ramosum subvar. genuinum (Litard.)
• Brachypodium mucronatum (Willk.)
• Bromus plukenetii (All.)
• Festuca obtusifolia (Lag. ex Link)
• Brachypodium ramosum var. scabriculmis (Maire)
• Brachypodium ramosum subsp. boissieri ((Nyman) Nyman)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Corse (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Aug 24, 2022 by Josep Ramon Roca (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 12, 2021 by Garé lolo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 10, 2021 by jose diaz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 9, 2022 by j B (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 16, 2021 by Léo Drevet (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 27, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 15, 1998 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

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

Taken May 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 12, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Paul Fabre (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jun 16, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Paul Fabre (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 4, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Tela BOTANICA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 27, 2020 by Pascual Javier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 4, 2022 by Ron Morford (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 10, 2019 by Olivier CHAZARENC (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

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

© 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/5676053)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:393178-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Brachypodium retusum (Pers.) P.Beauv.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 3

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 4