Sea barley (Hordeum marinum, Fl. Angl., ed. 2: 57 (1778))

Family: Poaceae

Author: Huds.

Bibliography: Fl. Angl., ed. 2: 57 (1778)

Year: 1778

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Hordeum

Vegetable: False

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

Description

Sea barley, known scientifically as Hordeum marinum and described by Huds., is a notable member of the Poaceae family. With a historical reference dating back to the 1778 edition of “Flora Anglica,” Sea barley has piqued the interest of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike for centuries.

This hardy grass species exhibits a broad geographical distribution, making its presence felt from the sun-kissed isles of Macaronesia and stretching across Europe to Central Asia. The resilient nature of Sea barley is further underscored by its ability to thrive in climates ranging from the temperate zones of the Mediterranean to the more rigorous environments found as far east as the Western Himalayas.

Sea barley is adapted to grow in saline environments, a trait that has earned it a reputation for flourishing in coastal and near-coastal regions where other plants may struggle. Its adaptability not only highlights its ecological importance but also suggests potential uses in soil stabilization projects and the rehabilitation of saline-affected soils.

The study and documentation of Sea barley continue to provide valuable insights into the evolutionary traits that enable it to persist across such varied habitats, presenting ongoing opportunities for research and exploration within the botanical sciences.

Common Names

Eng: mediterranean barley, seaside barley, sea barley, sea barley grass, geniculate barley
Lit: pajūrinis miežis
Deu: strand-gerste
Dan: strand-byg
Ces: je
Fra: orge maritime, orge marine
Nno: strandbygg
Nob: strandbygg
Swe: strandkorn
Hun: tengerparti árpa
Nld: zeegerst
Cym: haidd y morfa, haidd-wellt y môr, haiddwellt y morfa, haiddwellt y traeth, heiddwellt y morfa
En: Sea barley, Sea barley grass, Mediterranean barley, Seaside barley, Geniculate Barley
Ar: بهمى (بَهمى، بُهمى), ريش ابو الحصين (رِيش أبوالحُصين)، ريش ابوالحصنى ( رِيش أبوالحُصْنى), شعيريه (شَعيريه)، شعريه (شَعْريه), شعير الديب
Ca: Margall marí
Cs: Ječmen přímořský, Je
Da: Strand-byg
Nl: Zeegerst
Et: Randoder
Fi: Meriohra
Fr: Orge maritime, Orge marine
De: Strand-Gerste
He: שעורת החוף
Hu: Tengerparti árpa
It: Orzo marittimo
Lt: Pajūrinis miežis
Nb: Strandbygg
Nn: Strandbygg
Fa: جو شوره‌زار
Sr: Livadski ječam
Sv: Strandkorn
Cy: Haidd y morfa, Haidd-Wellt y Môr, Haiddwellt y Morfa, Haiddwellt y Traeth, Heiddwellt y Morfa

Synonyms

• Critesion marinum ((Huds.) Á.Löve)
• Hordeum secalinum subsp. marinum ((Huds.) Fouill. & Litard.)
• Hordeum maritimum (With.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Baltic States (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (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)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Idaho (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Utah (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Flower

Taken May 2, 2021 by Sergio costantini (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2021 by Sergio costantini (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2021 by Sergio costantini (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2019 by D MartinaD75 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2019 by Gancedo Guidugli Javier Horacio (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 15, 2021 by francois tissot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 22, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Françoise CARLE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 2, 2021 by Sergio costantini (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 14, 2020 by Beth Helliwell (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 11, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Mmv COURS BOTANIQUE (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2022 by Jean- Pierre Sévère (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2021 by francois tissot (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 13, 2010 by EOL − C. Epicoco (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 22, 2021 by Jan Bakker (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 8, 2021 by Antonio López Rodríguez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 20, 2020 by Antonio López Rodríguez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 8, 2021 by Antonio López Rodríguez (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Apr 27, 2019 by Tina Lehmann (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken May 17, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30066468-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2706053)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Hordeum marinum Huds.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Soil nutriments: 6

Soil salinity: 6