Edge/ Downy Chess

COMMON NAME: Downy Chess

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Downy Chess Grass, Downy Brome Grass

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Bromus tectorum

FAMILY: Poaceae

COMMUNITY: Edge

STATUS: Naturalized from Europe

LIFESPAN: Annual

HEIGHT: 1 ¼ feet

FLOWERING TIME: Late April to late June, mostly in May and June

FRUITING TIME: Old fruit may persist to October

DISTRIBUTION: Quebec to Virginia ~ Statewide in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS: Stems hairy ~ Panicle (inflorescence) dense, long with spreading branches, often with several spikelets ~ Fruit abundant

Consider the often quoted rhyme when identifying grasses (Poaceae): “Sedges have edges, Rushes are round, Grasses have joints from their tips to the ground.”

GENERAL INFORMATION: The Poaceae family is commonly called the grass family.  This genus Bromus is the Greek name for Oat.  The species tectorum means “of roofs” and refers to its use as thatch. There are 36 bromegrasses or bromes in the United States—about half the number in the world.  The genus is best represented in the Far West on open ranges.  A few species of bromegrasses are annuals and are known as “Chess” or “Cheat”.  Downy Chess is one of these. The common name “Downy” refers to the hairy panicles of Downy Chess. Downy Chess is a weed of sterile soils, banks, ledges, fields and waste ground. The ripe plant yields dye.  The good sized seeds are eaten by waterfowl, upland gamebirds, songbirds and small mammals.  The leaves or other parts of the plants are consumed by game mammals and hoofed browsers, especially while the plant is young.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.