Spanish brome (Bromus madritensis, Cent. Pl. I: 5 (1755))

Family: Poaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Cent. Pl. I: 5 (1755)

Year: 1755

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Bromus

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to Tibet and Eritrea

Description

Spanish brome, scientifically identified as Bromus madritensis, is a notable species within the family Poaceae. Described and classified by the eminent systematist Carl Linnaeus in his Centuria Plantarum I, published in 1755, this grass is distinguished by its geographical distribution and its adaptive resilience.

Native to a fascinating range of regions, Spanish brome exhibits a remarkable versatility in its habitat preferences. It is commonly found across the diverse climates and terrains of Macaronesia, spanning into the Mediterranean basin and reaching as far as Tibet and Eritrea. This broad distribution underlines the plant’s adaptability to varied environmental conditions, from coastal zones to upland areas.

Spanish brome is a species of scientific interest, often studied within agronomy and ecology due to its robust growth and adaptability. Its morphological characteristics, like many grasses in the Poaceae family, include dense inflorescences and a fortified root system, facilitating survival and proliferation in both arid and semi-arid environments.

The plant’s ecological value is multifaceted; not only does it contribute to soil stabilization and prevention of erosion, but it also provides cover and foraging material for a variety of fauna. Its presence in diverse ecosystems underpins the intricate balance in those habitats, supporting biodiversity and ecological health.

Whether viewed through the lens of scientific research, agricultural utility, or ecological importance, Spanish brome (Bromus madritensis) remains an important species within its vast geographical range.

Common Names

Eng: compact brome, madrid brome, spanish brome, lesser brome, stiff brome, wall brome
Deu: madrid-trespe, mittelmeer-trespe
Hun: madridi rozsnok
Swe: spansklosta
Cym: bromwellt dwysedig, pawrwellt cryno, pawrwellt dwysedig
En: Spanish brome, Stiff brome, Lesser brome, Madrid brome, Compact brome, Wall brome
Ca: Bromus madrileny
Fr: Brome de Madrid
De: Madrid-Trespe, Mittelmeer-Trespe, Madrider Trespe
He: ברומית ספרדית
Hu: Madridi rozsnok
It: Forasacco dei muri
Es: Bromo madritense
Sv: Spansklosta
Cy: Bromwellt Dwysedig, Pawrwellt Cryno, Pawrwellt Dwysedig

Synonyms

• Bromus decipiens (Cav.)
• Bromus asperrimus (Ten.)
• Bromus muralis var. madritensis ((L.) Huds.)
• Bromus madritensis var. glabriglumis (Maire & Weiller)
• Zerna madritensis ((L.) Gray)
• Anisantha madritensis subsp. tefedetica ((Quézel) H.Scholz & Valdés)
• Bromus darderi (Sennen)
• Bromus rochelianus (Opiz)
• Forasaccus diandrus ((Hook.f.) Bubani)
• Bromus rubens subsp. madritensis ((L.) Bonnier & Layens)
• Bromus diandrus var. polystachyus (J.Woods)
• Bromus maximus var. minor (Boiss.)
• Bromus madritensis var. villosissimus (Maire)
• Bromus gynandrus (Roth)
• Bromus madritensis var. villiglumis (Maire & Weiller)
• Bromus madritensis var. urbicus (P.Candargy)
• Bromus victorinii (Sennen & Mauricio)
• Bromus sterilis var. madritensis ((L.) Kuntze)
• Bromus madritensis var. ciliatus (Guss.)
• Bromus madritensis var. diandrus (Hook.f.)
• Bromus madritensis f. umbrosus (Hausskn.)
• Bromus diandrus (Curtis)
• Bromus digitatus (Poir. ex P.Beauv.)
• Bromus madritensis subsp. eumadritensis (Maire & Weiller)
• Bromus madritensis var. purpureus (Lojac.)
• Bromus muralis (Huds.)
• Bromus rigidus var. minor ((Boiss.) Maire)
• Bromus madritensis var. polystachyus (Guépin)
• Bromus rubens var. villosus (Fiori)
• Bromus madritensis var. curtisii (Bab. ex Syme)
• Schedonorus madritensis var. ciliatus ((Guss.) Lange)
• Bromus varius (Brot.)
• Bromus madritensis var. pubiculmis (Maire & Weiller)
• Zerna madritensis var. triandra (Gray)
• Anisantha madritensis ((L.) Nevski)
• Bromus diandrus var. madritensis ((L.) DC.)
• Bromus madritensis subsp. tefedeticus (Quézel)
• Anisantha madritensis var. ciliata ((Guss.) Tzvelev)
• Bromus arenaceus (Pourr.)
• Bromus madritensis var. glabriculmis (Maire & Weiller)
• Bromus viciosoi (Sennen)
• Genea madritensis ((L.) Dumort.)
• Bromus dilatatus (Lam.)
• Festuca madritensis ((L.) Desf.)
• Bromus multispicatus (Roem. & Schult.)
• Bromus madritensis f. persterilis (Cugnac & A.Camus)
• Bromus diandrus var. curtisii (Bab.)
• Bromus sterilis f. varius ((Brot.) Kuntze)
• Bromus myrthensis (Lojac.)
• Bromus madritensis var. victorinii (Maire)
• Bromus madritensis var. monandrus (Guss.)
• Bromus madritensis var. ambiguus (Coss. & Durieu)
• Bromus rubens var. polystachyus ((DC.) Mutel)
• Bromus villosus var. minor ((Boiss.) Briq.)
• Bromus oranensis (Steud.)
• Forasaccus arenaceus ((Pourr.) Bubani)
• Bromus sterilis f. diandrus ((Hook.f.) Kuntze)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuwait (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Oman (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

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

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

Flower

Taken May 27, 2020 by leviatan166 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2020 by Marsen Matressa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2020 by Marsen Matressa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 27, 2013 by EOL − Valter Jacinto (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 20, 2013 by EOL − Valter Jacinto (cc-by-nc-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 5, 2020 by enzo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2020 by Marsen Matressa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 16, 2022 by Mary_T (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2021 by sarah poitout (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 7, 2020 by Denise Denise Low (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Dec 30, 2015 by EOL − Jesse Rorabaugh (cc-by)

Taken Dec 30, 2015 by EOL − Jesse Rorabaugh (cc-by)

Taken Sep 12, 2015 by EOL − Jesse Rorabaugh (cc-by)

Taken May 15, 2009 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2015 by EOL − daydream (cc-by-nc)

Bark

Taken Jun 15, 2015 by EOL − Cedric Lee (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2015 by EOL − Cedric Lee (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 28, 2015 by EOL − Jesse Rorabaugh (cc-by)

Taken Jul 11, 2015 by EOL − Cedric Lee (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 4, 2015 by EOL − Jesse Rorabaugh (cc-by)

Habit

Taken Apr 20, 2015 by EOL − Jesse Rorabaugh (cc-by)

Taken Apr 26, 2015 by EOL − Jesse Rorabaugh (cc-by)

Taken Apr 26, 2015 by EOL − Jesse Rorabaugh (cc-by)

Taken Apr 25, 2015 by EOL − Jesse Rorabaugh (cc-by)

Taken Mar 21, 2015 by EOL − Cedric Lee (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:393859-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2703721)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Bromus madritensis L.)

Specifications

Growth