Downy Brome (Bromus tectorum) aka Cheatgrass

Identification

Downy brome is a winter annual, which means it germinates in the fall. It reproduces by seed, up to 400lbs per acre. The seedheads changes from green to purple to brown over the course of its lifecycle. The branches are slender, hairy, and droop. The leaves are light green and hairy but eventually turn brown. Downy brome can grow from 4 to 30 inches tall. It invades overgrazed pastures, burned rangeland/wildlands, winter crops, and waste areas.

Downy brome is common throughout Colorado increasing fire potential thereby negatively influencing plant community composition.