Common Name: Japanese Chess

General Information

Bromus japonicus is an erect, annual to biennial grass that can grow 40 - 90cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.
Bromus japonicus is introduced and invasive in rangelands in central and western North America, and a weed in wheat and other annual crops. It is an aggressive species that out-competes desirable vegetation for water and soil nutrients, thus reducing plant biodiversity. Invaded communities have reduced native vegetation cover and lower species richness than native rangelands. Seeds can remain viable in the soil for several years, making control difficult[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eurasia - France to southern Russia, eastwards through central Asia to China, Japan, Korea, Pakistan and India; Eastern Mediterranean.

Habitat

Fields and waste places, British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec[]. Forest margins, roadsides, waste ground, river beaches; at elevations from near sea level to 2,500 metres, occasionally to 3,500 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Habit	Annual/Biennial
Height	0.70 m
Pollinators	Wind
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in a sunny position in most well-drained soils[, ]. When growing in dry climates, the plant may prefer rocky, shallow soil rather than fine-textured deep rock-free soil due to lesser evaporation loss from rocky soils[]. It has been recorded on reclaimed saline soil and can tolerate NaCl concentrations up to 0.7%[]

Edible Uses

Leaves[]. No more details.

Seed[, ]. No more details are given, but the seed is very small and fiddly to utilize[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

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.