Bromus marginatus - Mountain Brome

Family:	Gramineae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	Western N. America - British Columbia and Alberta to California, New Mexico and South Dakota.

Bromus marginatus (Mountain Brome) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 0.
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Wind

Soil Information

Mountain Brome will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Mountain Brome prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Mountain Brome can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Various habitats from moist woods to dry open meadows or sagebrush covered hills, sometimes to the timber line[60].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. It is considered to be a part of B. carinatus by some botanists[60]. Tolerates a pH in the range 5.3 to 7.8. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in a sunny position in most well-drained soils[138, 200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Seed - cooked[161, 177]. Used as a piñole[213, 257]. The seed is heavy[213]. The seed is rather small and fiddly to utilize[K].

• Seed - includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 0/5
None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring or autumn in situ and only just cover. Germination should take place within 2 weeks. If seed is in short supply it can be surface sown in a cold frame in early spring. When large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots and plant them out in early summer. Division in spring. Large clumps can be planted out direct into their permanent positions whilst it is best to pot up smaller clumps and grow them on in a cold frame until they are ready to be planted out.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

Tied bunches of plants have been used as hair brushes and light brooms[257].

• Broom - Used for sweeping the floor etc.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest.
Hitchcock. C. L.
Author: Hitchcock. C. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A standard flora for Western N. America with lots of information on habitat etc. Five large volumes, it is not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1955

Manual of the Grasses of the United States
Hitchcock. A. S.
Author: Hitchcock. A. S.
Rating:
Publisher : A nice and comprehensive flora, though a bit dated. Good line drawings of each plant, plus a brief idea of the habitat and a few notes on plant uses. Not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1971

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