Bromopsis ramosa hairy wood brome

This lovely grass is Hairy wood brome Bromopsis ramosa. I love the aesthetic of the deep burgundy, softly hairy leaf sheaths paired with a very stylish yellow and gracefullly shaped "collar" (auricles) below the lovely rich green of the leaf blade.

It can grow up to 2m tall and in flower has beautiful arching stems and drooping panicles.

What a fashion icon!

This burgundy sheath is a feature of the young plant, as the season progresses it turns more of a homogenous green. But this makes it one grass which is easy for a beginner to ID in vegetative state.

To my surprise I could not find I could not find this feature described in any of my books (even Stace) or on the Internet so I did wonder if I was wrong but I don't think I am?

If I am,I am sure a botany friend will redirect me 😁

This is a species of the woodland edge and is an indicator of ancient woodland.

Found in Suffolk by an ancient hedge near Woodbridge.

#botany #ecology #plantidentification