Cheat

June 5, 2015

Bromus secalinus L. Poaceae (Grass family)

Life cycle

Erect to spreading winter annual.

cheat patch
Patch of cheat.

Leaves

Both leaf surfaces and sheath are smooth or sparsely hairy. Leaves are rolled in the bud. Light green leaves have a distinctive twist.

Ligule

Membranous with a fringe of hairs.

Stems

Erect and clump-forming, up to 24 inches tall.

cheat collar
Cheat collar region.

Flowers and fruit

The seedhead is an open, drooping panicle at maturity that produces large, yellowish brown seeds. Seeds also have characteristically short awns (shorter than those of downy brome).

Reproduction

Seeds.

cheat seedhead
Cheat seedhead.

Similar weeds

Downy brome (Bromus tectorum L.) Differs by having hairy leaves and longer awns than those of cheat.

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