Hordeum vulgare L.

Barley

© DETenaglia

Family - Poaceae/Triticeae

Stems - No info. yet.

Leaves - No info. yet.

	Auricle at the base of the leaf blade.
© DETenaglia

Inflorescence - No info. yet.

	Inflorescence.
© DETenaglia

Flowers - No info. yet.

	Spikelets.
© DETenaglia

Flowering - April - June.

Habitat - Cultivated and escaped to roadsides, pastures, railroads, disturbed sites.

Origin - Cultigen of Asian origin.

Other info. - This species is the common "Barley" of cultivation. It is grown worldwide. There are many cultivars in existence and a few may be uncommonly found growing wild throughout Missouri. None persist for long periods in the wild however. The germinating fruits of this species are the "malt" associated with the brewing process.
This species is easy to ID because of the long-awned spikelets (a few cultivars do not have the long awns) and the big auricles at the base of the leaf blades.

Photographs taken near James Creek, NC., 4-20-03.