# Skaneateles Conservation Area/Invasive species/Brachypodium

<< State-regulated and other highly invasive plants at the SCA

## Brachypodium sylvaticum ssp. sylvaticum (slender false brome)

Slender false brome (Brachypodium sylvaticum ssp. sylvaticum)

### Nearest observations

Slender false brome has only been known in New York for about a quarter century. Nearby observations include:
* The Rand Tract in Syracuse in 2018 (source: iMap)
* Near Solvay in 2018 (source: iMap)
* On the east side of Owasco Lake 2019 (source: iMap)
* Cayuga Lake State park in 2019. (source: iMap)

### Growth traits

Slender false brome is a perennial bunchgrass with individual clumps that merge to form one large mat 2.5-3.0 feet tall.
Leaves are drooping with bright green, flat blades up to 0.5” wide.
Leaves have a fringe of hairs surrounding margins, do not clasp the stem tightly, are hairy and open at their base, and have a fringed ligule at the point of attachment.
Leaves are bright green all season or year long.
Spikelets of flowers are on very short stalks, are droopy and hairy, and have straight awns 0.25"-0.75" long.
* ↑ iMapInvasives. Brachypodium sylvaticum New York map.
* ↑ Rachel Winston, Wendy DesCamp, Jennifer Andreas, Carol Bell Randall, Joseph Milan & Mark Schwarzländer (2014). "False Brome". New Invaders of the Northwest, Second Edition. Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, USDA. pp. 24-25.

## Invasiveness ranking for Brachypodium sylvaticum ssp. sylvaticum (slender false brome)

Brachypodium sylvaticum ssp. sylvaticum (slender false brome) is ranked as Very Highly Invasive with a score of 84/97 = 86.60%.
Regulated by New York State law.

### 1. Ecological impact (34/40)

1.1. Impact on Natural Ecosystem Processes and System-Wide Parameters: Significant alteration of ecosystem processes (7/10)
* Sequesters soil moisture, inhibiting seedling establishment
* Large stands in wetlands adjacent to streams may impact sedimentation rates in streams
1.2. Impact on Natural Community Structure: Significant impact in at least one layer (7/10)
* Creates solid or nearly solid stands.
* Creates a taller herb layer, eliminating most or all herbs below.
1.3. Impact on Natural Community Composition: Causes major alteration in community composition (10/10)
1.4. Impact on other species or species groups: Severe impact on other species or species groups (10/10)

### 2. Biological characteristics and dispersal ability (22/25)

2.1. Mode and rate of reproduction
2.2 Innate potential for long-distance dispersal:
2.3. Potential to be spread by human activities:
2.4. Characteristics that increase competitive advantage:
2.5. Growth vigor:
2.6. Germination/Regeneration:
2.7. Other species in the genus invasive in New York or elsewhere:

### 3. Ecological amplitude and distribution (21/25)

3.1. Density of stands in natural areas in the northeastern USA and eastern Canada:
3.2. Number of habitats the species may invade:
3.3. Role of disturbance in establishment:
3.4. Climate in native range:
3.5. Current introduced distribution in the northeastern USA and eastern Canada:
3.6. Current introduced distribution of the species in natural areas in the 8 NY PRISMs:

### 4. Difficulty of control (7/7)

4.1. Seed banks:
4.2. Vegetative regeneration:
4.3. Level of effort required:

### References for invasiveness ranking

* ↑ M.J. Jordan, G. Moore & T.W. Weldy (2008). Invasiveness ranking system for non-native plants of New York. Unpublished. The Nature Conservancy, Cold Spring Harbor, NY; Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, NY; The Nature Conservancy, Albany, NY. Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) P.Beauv. ssp. sylvaticum (Slender falsebrome) assessed by Gerry Moore, December 9, 2009.
* ↑ New York Codes, Rules and Regulations, Title 6 Section 575.4 - Regulated invasive species

## Observations of Brachypodium sylvaticum (Slender False Brome) in the vicinity of the SCA

The following photographs and corresponding iNaturalist observations of Brachypodium sylvaticum ssp. sylvaticum were made at or very near the Skaneateles Conservation Area. Click on images to enlarge and read details on Wikimedia Commons or on the "iNat obs" links to view the corresponding observations at iNaturalist.
* Brachypodium sylvaticum, Caledonia, NY, 29 Jul 2019. iNat obs