Bromus is distinguished from other grass genera by a combination of several morphological characteristics, including leaf sheaths that are closed (connate) for most of their length, awns that are usually inserted subapically, and hairy appendages on the ovary. The leaf blades and sheaths, which comprise the leaves can be hairless, sparsely hairy or hairy.
The awns are not very long, or even be missing totally. Caryopsis is plump and heavy.
At the youth stage the blades are covered with moderately stiff hairs above and harsh, the youngest leaf is rolled.
The leaf blades and sheaths, which comprise the leaves can be hairless, sparsely hairy or hairy.