L.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.740623
Element CodePMPOA15210
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassMonocotyledoneae
OrderCyperales
FamilyPoaceae
GenusBromus
Other Common NamesBrome cilié (FR) fringed brome (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1999. A synonymized checklist and atlas with biological attributes for the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. First edition. In: Kartesz, J.T., and C.A. Meacham. Synthesis of the North American Flora, Version 1.0. North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, N.C.
Taxonomic CommentsThis is the record for Bromus ciliatus in the broad sense. Kartesz 1999 lumps material from B. canadensis, B. ramosus in part, and B. ciliatus (as treated by Kartesz 1994) to form a new broader treatment of B. ciliatus. Bromus ciliatus var. intonus was included in the synonymy of B. ramosus in Kartesz 1994. In Kartesz 1999, B. ciliatus var. intonus is included in the synonymy of B. ciliatus var. ciliatus.
FNA, 2007 (vol. 24) elevates Bromus ciliatus var. richardsonii (= B. richardsonii) to full species, therefore according to FNA, Kartesz's (1994) B. ciliatus var. ciliatus is equivalent to B. ciliatus.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2025-07-07
Change Date1984-02-16
Edition Date2025-07-07
Edition AuthorsJohnson, J. (2025)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsBromus ciliatus is a perennial grass that grows in wetland margins throughout most of North America except for the southeastern United States, where it is rare and restricted to mountainous areas. With a broad distribution, preference for varied and abundant habitat, and a large number of occurrences, this taxon is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsBromus ciliatus is found across much of North America from boreal Canada to central Mexico, except in the southeastern United States where it is rare and restricted to mountainous areas (FNA 2007, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2025). It is also found along the eastern coast of Asia and as far south as South Korea (GBIF 2025). Range extent was estimated using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1994 and 2025 (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1994 and 2025, it is estimated that there are more than 1200 occurrences rangewide (GBIF 2025, iNaturalist 2025, NatureServe 2025, RARECAT 2025, SEINet 2025). Due to different treatments of this entity, herbarium records and photo-based observations may under-represent the true abundance.
Threat Impact CommentsIn the southeastern United States, where this taxon is rare, it is threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation and to a lesser degree by forest management practices (Southern Appalachian Species Viability Project 2002). In the remainder of its range, threats to this species are not documented but may include development, grazing, and water diversion or impoundment.