Brome is the name of more than 150 kinds of grasses found mostly in the Northern Hemisphere. Dozens of species (kinds) of bromes grow in the United States. Some are used as feed for farm animals, but others are weeds.
One of the most useful bromes is smooth brome. This variety is native to Europe and Asia and was introduced into the United States in 1884. It grows 3 to 4 feet (0.9 to 1.2 meters) in height and is leafy. Smooth brome is often grown with alfalfa for grazing by livestock. It also may be cut and used for later feeding. In addition, people plant smooth brome along roads and waterways because its extensive root system protects the soil against erosion. See Grass .
Another kind of brome, known as cheatgrass, is a troublesome weed in the rangelands and grain fields of the western United States. It is good for grazing early in the growing season, but its quality declines rapidly as it matures. When mature, cheatgrass is difficult to control and can be a serious fire hazard.
