Bromus sitchensis
Sitka brome, Alaska Brome
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Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass · Native
Bromus sitchensis (Sitka brome) is a native California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by strongly keeled and laterally compressed spikelets.
Sitka brome is a California native perennial grass found in southwestern California on rocky bluffs, cliffs, meadows, forest edges, and disturbed areas at elevations below 1,670 meters. Flowering from March to June, this grass produces green to tan spikelets 20 to 41 millimeters long with delicate, arching branches. Growing 20 to 145 centimeters tall with an occasionally branching habit, it develops erect to nodding flowering stems that can bloom even in its first year. Its leaves feature distinctive ligules 1 to 6 millimeters long and blades that range from glabrous to slightly scabrous or hairy, measuring 1 to 12 millimeters wide. The plant's spikelets have strongly keeled lemmas with awns 3.5 to 15 millimeters long, giving the grass a graceful, textured appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species; strongly keeled and laterally compressed spikelets are diagnostic
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky bluffs, cliffs, meadows, forest edges, disturbed areas
Elevation: < 1670 m.
Outside California: to Alaska.
Bloom period
Bromus sitchensis blooms Mar-Jun.
How to tell it apart
vs Nassella: Bromus has closed leaf sheaths and large spikelets; Nassella has open sheaths and needle-like awns.; vs Hordeum: Bromus has separate large spikelets; Hordeum has three spikelets grouped at each node.; vs Avena: Bromus lemmas have two teeth at tip; Avena lemmas have a twisted awn from the back.; vs Lolium: Bromus spikelets are stalked in clusters; Lolium spikelets sit edgewise against the stem.; vs Festuca: Bromus leaf sheaths are closed; Festuca sheaths split open halfway down.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bromus sitchensis native to California?
Yes. Bromus sitchensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Bromus sitchensis bloom?
Bromus sitchensis blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Bromus sitchensis belong to?
Bromus sitchensis is in the Poaceae family, genus Bromus.
What habitat does Bromus sitchensis grow in?
Bromus sitchensis grows in Rocky bluffs, cliffs, meadows, forest edges, disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.