Hordeum

Hordeum is a genus of annual and perennial plants in the grass family. They are native throughout the temperate regions of Africa, Eurasia, and the Americas. One species, Hordeum vulgare (Barley), is a major cereal grain grown in temperate climates globally. Other species are used as ornamental plants, and some species are regarded as weeds.

Description

Hordeum species are annual or perennial grasses. They have flat, linear leaves. The inflorescences are composed of varying numbers of unilateral spikelets, each containing one to three flowers, laterally compressed towards the tip.

Species

The genus Hordeum contains 31 to 33 species. The best-known member of the genus is the cereal crop barley (Hordeum vulgare).

Uses

Hordeum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species. The grain of Hordeum vulgare (Barley) is used to make barley cereal, barley flour, and barley meal. It is also used in the production of beer and whiskey.

See also

• List of Hordeum species
• Barley
• Cereal

References

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External links

• Hordeum at Kew Gardens' GrassBase
• Hordeum at the International Plant Names Index

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