Gerald L. Klingaman
Family
Poaceae
Botanical Name
Hordeum
Plant Common Name
Hordeum
General Description
Hordeum comprises some 30 species of annual and perennial grasses from the world's temperate zones. The genus includes one of civilization's most important grains, common barley (Hordeum vulgare), as well as several noxious weeds.
The flat, rolled, or split leaf blades of these clumping grasses are alternately borne on lax to upright, short to tall stems. Leaf color is light- to medium-green or blue-green. In spring or summer, dense, linear to oblong, spike-like clusters of small green or purplish flowers appear at the stem tips. The flower spikes are usually ornamented with long conspicuous whisker-like awns, giving them a bristly or feathery appearance. Small woody single-seeded fruits mature within the spent flowers, with spikes typically shattering after the fruits ripen. Plants often self-sow prolifically. Several barleys produce attractive, long-awned, shatter-resistant seed heads which are suitable for dry flower arrangements.
Common barley, Hordeum vulgare is the world's fourth most important grain crop, measured by total weight and value. Used in beer production for more than 8000 years, it is still widely cultivated for brewing, cattle fodder, and numerous culinary purposes. Thought to be native to western and central Asia, this tough, adaptable annual is grown as a summer or winter crop in most of the world's climatic zones, from the tropics to the boreal regions of Canada and Scandinavia.
Barleys are generally easy to grow, preferring full sun and well-drained soil but tolerating a wide range of conditions. Some barley species (including foxtail barley, Hordeum jubatum) make excellent subjects for naturalistic xeric gardens in areas where they are not invasive. Do not plant species that are regionally listed or regarded as noxious weeds.
Characteristics
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Plant Type
Grass
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun
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Bloom Time
Spring, Summer
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Native To
North America, South America, Europe, Southern Africa, Asia
Ornamental Features
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Flower Color
Green
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Fruit Color
Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Light Green, Blue Green, Gray Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Light Green, Blue Green, Gray Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
