Bromus sitchensis var. sitchensis
Sitka brome, alaska brome
Photo: parent species Bromus sitchensis · (c) crothfels, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Bromus sitchensis var. sitchensis (Sitka brome) is a native California perennial in the Poaceae family, recognized by largest spikelets and most open inflorescence among Sitka brome varieties.
Sitka brome is a California native perennial grass found in northern coastal and northwestern California regions on rocky bluffs, meadows, forest edges, and disturbed areas at elevations below 1,670 meters. Flowering from March to June, this grass produces delicate, open branching inflorescences with spikelets 25 to 41 millimeters long. Growing with robust stems 40 to 145 centimeters tall, it develops ascending to spreading branches that arch and nod gracefully. Its leaves feature broad blades 5 to 12 millimeters wide, with smooth or occasionally hairy surfaces and distinctive ligules 3 to 4 millimeters long. The grass produces lemmas with slender awns 5 to 10 millimeters in length, giving the plant an elegant, feathery appearance.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 28 sympatric species; largest spikelets and most open inflorescence among Sitka brome varieties
Habitat and range
Habitat: Rocky bluffs, cliffs, meadows, forest edges, disturbed areas
Elevation: < 1670 m
Outside California: to Alaska
Bloom period
Bromus sitchensis var. 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 var. sitchensis native to California?
Yes. Bromus sitchensis var. sitchensis is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Bromus sitchensis var. sitchensis bloom?
Bromus sitchensis var. sitchensis blooms Mar-Jun.
What plant family does Bromus sitchensis var. sitchensis belong to?
Bromus sitchensis var. sitchensis is in the Poaceae family, genus Bromus.
What habitat does Bromus sitchensis var. sitchensis grow in?
Bromus sitchensis var. 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 · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.