Medium-tall grass which forms loose tussocks and produces few tillers. Flowers in May/June. Mainly found on warm, well-drained, calcareous soils in upland areas. On heavily fertilised grazing land it tends to be overwhelmed by other species. Upright brome grass has an average feed value of 6, which is similar to that of other brome species. Since it flowers early to mid season, its seeds ripen in time for haymaking which enables it to spread widely as a result of shedding. Not recommended for seed mixes wherever the location.
Botanical features
| Leaf | The emerging leaf is folded, the leaf blade open, slightly ribbed and lightly haired. The edges of the leaves are fringed with hairs. Leaf sheath slightly hairy and closed right up to the top. Short ligule, no auricles. |
| Culm | Only a few shoots produce long, upright culms bearing panicles. Culm height approx. 100 cm. |
| Inflorescence | False panicle (consisting of single or paired racemes) with upright panicle branches. Lower node 3-5 side branches. Awned spikelet contains several florets. The awn is attached just below the tip of the lemma and measures half its length. |
| Fruit | Long, narrow grain. The lemma has long veins running down the back and furrows on the front. Long pedicel, flattened at the front, but otherwise cylindrical. TSW 3–4 g. |