Hordeum vulgare* Linn. Sp. Pl. 84 (1753).
Classification. (GPWG 2001) : Subfamily Pooideae.
Tribe Triticeae.
Type of Basionym or
Protologue Information: LT: Anon., (LINN-103.11). LT designated by
Bowden, Canad. J. Bot. 37: 679 (1959).
Key references
(books and floras): [1981] M.Lazarides in J.Jessop (ed)., Flora of
Central Australia (433), [2002] D.Sharp & B.K.Simon, AusGrass,
Grasses of Australia, [2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses
of South Australia (273), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs, R.D.B.Walley &
D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales (280), [2009] A.Wilson (ed.). Flora
of Australia, Vol 44A. Poaceae 2 (111).
Illustrations:
[2006] J.Jessop, G.R.M.Dashorst, F.M.James, Grasses of South Australia (273, Fig. 212), [2008] S.W.L.Jacobs,
R.D.B.Whalley & D.J.B.Wheeler, Grasses of New South Wales, 4th edn
(280).
Habit. Annual.
Culms erect, 40–87 cm tall, 2.5–4 mm diam., 3–5 -noded. Leaf-sheath auricles
present. Ligule an eciliate membrane, 1–2.5 mm long, hyaline, truncate.
Leaf-blades flat, 10–45 cm long, 6–15 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scabrous.
Inflorescence.
Inflorescence solid, a spike. Rhachis tough.
Spikelets.
Spikelets sessile, 3 in the cluster. Fertile spikelets 1-flowered, comprising 1
fertile floret(s), without rachilla extension, cuneate, dorsally compressed,
10–15 mm long.
Glumes. Glumes
similar. Lower glume linear or elliptic or obovate, chartaceous. Lower glume
surface indumented. Lower glume apex awned. Upper glume linear, 4–5 mm long.
Upper glume surface indumented. Upper glume apex awned.
Florets.
Fertile lemma 9–17 mm long, without keel, 5 -nerved. Lemma apex awned, 1
-awned. Median (principal) awn 85–112 mm long overall. Anthers 3.
Continental
Distribution: Europe, Africa, Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia, Australasia,
Pacific, North America, and South America.
Australian
Distribution: Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, New South
Wales, Victoria, Tasmania.
Western Australia:
Avon. South Australia: Lake Eyre, Nullabor, Gairdner-Torrens Basin,
Flinders Ranges, Eyre Peninsula, Northern Lofty, Murray, Yorke Peninsula,
Southern Lofty, South-eastern. Queensland: Cook, Moreton. New South
Wales: Central Coast, South Coast, North-Western Slopes, South-Western
Slopes. Victoria: Gippsland Plain, Midlands, Murray Mallee, Riverina,
Volcanic Plain, Wimmera. Tasmania: No region given.
Notes.
Numerous cultivars are grown throughout the temperate regions of the world. Most
are utilised as a food source for humans, domestic animals and in the brewing
industry.
In
all states and territories. Individuals may form short-lived populations in the
vicinity of cultivated H. vulgare, or where its seed is used as fodder,
for example stock yards. Flowers mainly Aug.-Oct.
