This alliance includes semi-dry grasslands dominated by Brachypodium pinnatum and Bromus erectus. Unlike the physiognomically similar grasslands of the alliance Bromion erecti, they contain several continental species typical of eastern European meadow steppes. Many stands are very rich in species. These grasslands occur on deeper, calcareous soils in warm and dry areas of Central Europe. At some sites they may be relicts of primary meadow steppes in forest-steppe vegetation complexes, while at other sites they may have developed as a secondary vegetation replacing former oak or oak-hornbeam forests. Traditionally these grasslands were extensively grazed or mown for hay. Today traditional use has been abandoned in many stands, but at some localities mowing has been re-introduced as a conservation measure.