A common name designating a number of grasses found in the North Temperate Zone that produce highly palatable and nutritious forage. Of these, smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis) is the most important (see illus.). This species was introduced to the United States during the 1880s from central Europe and Russia, where it is native. It proved to be well adapted to regions of cold winters and limited rainfall. Although first widely used in the eastern Great Plains and western Corn Belt regions, improved strains are now grown extensively for hay and rotation pastures north of the Mason-Dixon line, from the Plains to the Atlantic. Smooth bromegrass is a long-lived perennial, spreads by underground creeping stems, and is fairly deep rooted and drought-tolerant. Top growth is 2–4 ft (0.6–1.2 m) tall and is used for hay or pasture. Regional strains are available for Canada and the northern two-thirds of the United States. Bromegrass tolerates a wide range of soil conditions, but responds well to higher levels of fertility. Where the moisture supply is adequate, smooth bromegrass grows well in mixtures with alfalfa and red clover. The seeds of bromegrass are large, light, and chaffy, and successful planting requires special seeders.