RED BROME (Foxtail Brome) ( Bromus rubens)

Probably introduced accidentally from Mediterranean Europe in the 1800s, this cool-season, annual grass thrives in winter and early spring, often forming dense stands. It shows reddish-purple inflorescences which dry and persist as potent fuel for wildfires which may kill non-fire-adapted native plants, and its seed-bearing spikes stick to fur and skin and can significantly injure animals. It has little nutritional value.

On our lands, we see it scattered about in Hot Springs Canyon. It is also present in significant stands at the Big Tank.

(Click on the image at left to enlarge it.)

Control of this invasive plant is apparently feasible:

http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/bromrube.html (See this link for images and click on MSWord file for text).