False barley (Hordeum murinum, Sp. Pl.: 85 (1753))

Family: Poaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 85 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Hordeum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Europe, Medit. to C. Asia and W. Himalaya

Description

False barley, known scientifically as Hordeum murinum and first described in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, is a notable species within the Poaceae family. This plant, often recognized for its similarity to true barley, thrives in a variety of climatic conditions and geographic locations, showcasing its adaptability and resilience.

False barley is predominantly found across a broad range of regions including Macaronesia, Europe, the Mediterranean, central Asia, and extending as far as the western Himalayas. This widespread distribution underscores its ecological versatility, allowing it to colonize diverse environments from coastal to inland habitats.

Characteristically, Hordeum murinum is an annual grass distinguished by its coarse leaves and distinctive seed heads that resemble those of true barley. It is often a pioneer species, quickly establishing itself in disturbed soils, roadsides, and waste areas. Despite its unassuming appearance, it plays a vital role in soil stabilization and as a pioneer vegetation in various ecosystems.

Moreover, false barley has long fascinated botanists and ecologists due to its robust invasive potential in regions outside its native range. Its ability to spread swiftly can alter local plant communities, outcompeting native species and affecting biodiversity.

In conclusion, the plant commonly known as false barley, or Hordeum murinum, represents a remarkable example of a species that is both ecologically significant and widespread. Its presence across various continents highlights its adaptability, and its characteristics continue to intrigue plant scientists and ecologists alike.

Common Names

Dan: gold byg
Deu: maeuse gerste, mäuse-gerste, mäusegerste
Eng: mouse barley, wall barley, false barley, farmer’s-foxtail, smooth barley, way barley, farmer’s foxtail
Por: cevada-dos-ratos
Swe: hiirenohra, vildkorn
Fin: hiirenohra
Ces: je
Nld: kruipertje
Nno: musebygg
Nob: musebygg
Fra: orge queue-de-rat, orge des rats, orge des souris, way barley
Cym: haidd y mur, haiddwellt y fagwyr, haiddwellt y muriau, heiddwellt y mur, heiddwellt y muriau
En: False barley, Wall barley, Mouse barley, Bulbous barley, Farmer’s-foxtail, Smooth Barley, Way Barley, Farmer’s foxtail, Wild Barley
Af: Wildegars
Ar: بهمى (بَهمى، بُهمى), شعيريه (شَعيريه)، شعريه (شَعْريه), شعير الحائط
Bg: Крайморски ечемик
Ca: Cua de rata, Espigadella, Espigatrencat, Pèl de ca, Blat de gos, Blat de sant Joan, Cua d’euga, Margall bord, Ordi salvatge, Rompsac
Cs: Ječmen myší, Je
Da: Gold byg
Nl: Kruipertje, Muizengerst
Et: Hiireoder
Fi: Hiirenohra
Fr: Orge queue-de-rat, Orge des rats, Orge des souris, Way barley, Orge des murs, Orge sauvage, Espigau
De: Mäuse-Gerste, Mäusegerste, Maeuse Gerste
Hu: Egérárpa
It: Erba codola, Erba spiga, Forasacco, Orzo selvatico
Ja: Mugi-kusa
Lt: Pelinis miežis
Mk: Осатка
Nb: Musebygg
Nn: Musebygg
Pl: Jęczmień płonny
Pt: Cevada-das-lebres, Cevada-dos-ratos
Pt-br: Cevada-de-ponche-verde, Cevada-dos-ratos
Sr: Попино прасе
Es: Cebada de ratones, Cebadilla silvestre
Sv: Vildkorn, Hiirenohra
Tr: Pisipisi Otu
Uk: Ячмінь мишачий
Cy: Haidd y mur, Haiddwellt y Fagwyr, Haiddwellt y Muriau, Heiddwellt y Mur, Heiddwellt y Muriau

Synonyms

• Zeocriton murinum ((L.) P.Beauv.)
• Triticum murale (Salisb.)
• Critesion murinum ((L.) Á.Löve)
• Hordeum leporinum var. murinum ((L.) Lojac.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Belarus (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Greece (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Krym (native)
• Kuwait (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Selvagens (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile North (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Easter Is. (introduced)
• Falkland Is. (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Ireland (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
• Kermadec Is. (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
• Lesotho (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Mexico Southeast (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North European Russi (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Norway (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 1, 2018 by 1 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2019 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 9, 2018 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 23, 2022 by Mamen Sasevi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2017 by Cruz Fer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2017 by Cruz Fer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 24, 2017 by Cruz Fer (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 10, 2022 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2011 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 26, 2022 by Jim Ridley (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 27, 2021 by ottaviobio (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2011 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 25, 2022 by yvon s (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 20, 2021 by Iglesias Rafael (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2022 by Nathalie Potel (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 12, 2020 by Nathalie Bec (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 11, 2020 by rossi marco (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2019 by alvaro (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 8, 2022 by Par Lio (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Florent Beck (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 11, 2019 by Max Deb (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 27, 2022 by Igor Pokric (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2021 by Sebastien Picard (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:405301-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/7886346)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hordeum murinum L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 8