Yatheroo oat (Avena barbata, J. Bot. (Schrader) 1799(2): 315 (1800))

Family: Poaceae

Author: Pott ex Link

Bibliography: J. Bot. (Schrader) 1799(2): 315 (1800)

Year: 1800

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Avena

Vegetable: False

Observations: Medit. to C. Asia and W. Himalaya

Description

Yatheroo Oat (Avena barbata)

The Yatheroo oat, scientifically known as Avena barbata, is an intriguing member of the Poaceae family. First documented by Pott ex Link in “J. Bot. (Schrader) 1799(2): 315 (1800)”, this species has captured the attention of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike for centuries.

Habitat and Distribution:
This plant finds its natural habitat stretching from the Mediterranean region across Central Asia to the western Himalayas. Its adaptability to a diverse range of climates and soil types highlights its hardy nature. The Yatheroo oat thrives particularly well in temperate regions where it is often observed growing in abundance.

Morphological Characteristics:
Yatheroo oat exhibits the typical traits of grasses within the Poaceae family. It generally has slender, erect stems that can vary in height, but often stand prominently among native flora. The leaves are narrow and elongated, sharing the quintessential grassy texture and appearance. When in bloom, it presents a subtle yet attractive display of small, clustered flowers, which eventually give way to its oat-like seeds.

Ecological Significance:
The Yatheroo oat plays a crucial role in its ecosystems. As a pioneer species in disturbed soils, it helps prevent erosion and enriches the soil, paving the way for other plant species to thrive. Its seeds provide food for various bird species, while the plant itself offers habitat and nourishment to countless insects.

Utilization and Importance:
Historically, various species within the Avena genus have been cultivated for their nutritional value. While not as prominent as the common oat (Avena sativa) in agriculture, Avena barbata has nonetheless contributed to the genetic diversity and resilience of cultivated oats. Its resilience and ease of growth make it a subject of interest for ongoing agricultural research, particularly in the context of sustainable farming practices and climate adaptability.

In conclusion, Avena barbata, or the Yatheroo oat, is more than just a humble grass. Its extensive distribution from the Mediterranean to the western Himalayas, coupled with its ecological benefits and potential agricultural importance, make it a noteworthy species in the rich tapestry of the Poaceae family.

Common Names

Deu: bart-hafer, barthafer
Dan: skæg-havre
Eng: slender oat, yatheroo oat, barbed oat
Por: aveia
Spa: avena barbada, ballueca
Fra: avoine barbue
Hun: szakállas zab
Swe: skägghavre
Cym: ceirch coliog, ceirchen goliog
En: Yatheroo oat, Barbed oat, Slender oat
Ca: Cugula petita
Da: Skæg-havre
Fr: Avoine barbue
De: Barthafer, Bart-Hafer, Sand-Hafer
He: שיבולת-שועל מתפרקת
Hu: Szakállas zab
It: Avena barbata
Pt: Aveia
Pt-br: Aveia-barbada, Aveia-selvagem, Balango
Es: Ballueca, Cebadilla, Avena barbada, Avena erizada, Avena morisca, Avenilla
Sv: Skägghavre
Cy: Ceirch Coliog, Ceirchen Goliog

Synonyms

• Avena barbata var. frutescens (Trab.)
• Avena barbata var. triflora (Willk.)
• Avena alba subvar. aristulata ((Malzev) Maire & Weiller)
• Avena barbata subvar. hirsuta ((Moench) Tab.Morais)
• Avena barbata subsp. hirtula ((Lag.) Tzvelev)
• Avena maxima (C.Presl)
• Avena sativa var. barbata ((Pott ex Link) Fiori)
• Avena barbata var. atheranthera ((C.Presl) Nyman)
• Avena almeriensis (Gand.)
• Avena barbata var. minor (Lange)
• Avena strigosa subsp. hirtula ((Lag.) Malzev)
• Avena barbata var. wiestii ((Steud.) Hausskn.)
• Avena barbata subvar. lusitanica (Tab.Morais)
• Avena barbata var. solida (Hausskn.)
• Avena alba f. triflora ((Malzev) Maire & Weiller)
• Avena hirtula (Lag.)
• Avena alba subvar. fallax (Maire & Weiller)
• Avena atheranthera (C.Presl)
• Avena sterilis subsp. atheranthera ((C.Presl) H.Scholz)
• Avena lusitanica ((Tab.Morais) B.R.Baum)
• Avena alba var. barbata ((Pott ex Link) Maire & Weiller)
• Avena deusta (Ball)
• Avena barbata subsp. hoppeana ((Scheele) K.Richt.)
• Avena serrulatiglumis (Sennen & Mauricio)
• Avena barbata subsp. atheranthera ((C.Presl) Rocha Afonso)
• Avena sterilis var. barbata ((Pott ex Link) Lapeyrère)
• Avena barbata f. triflora (Hausskn.)
• Avena hoppeana (Scheele)
• Avena barbata subsp. wiestii ((Steud.) Mansf.)
• Avena strigosa subvar. deserticola (Malzev)
• Avena nuda subsp. wiestii ((Steud.) Á.Löve)
• Avena malzevii (Tzvelev)
• Avena alba subvar. glabrifolia ((Malzev) Maire & Weiller)
• Avena strigosa subvar. aristulata (Malzev)
• Avena lagascae (Sennen)
• Avena strigosa subvar. triflora (Malzev)
• Avena barbata var. caspica (Hausskn.)
• Avena matritensis (B.R.Baum)
• Avena strigosa var. subtypica (Malzev)
• Avena bolivaris (Sennen)
• Avena barbata var. subtypica ((Malzev) Tzvelev)
• Avena barbata subsp. castellana (Romero Zarco)
• Avena strigosa subsp. lusitanica ((Tab.Morais) Jauzein)
• Avena damascena (Rajhathy & B.R.Baum)
• Avena alba subvar. minor ((Lange) Maire & Weiller)
• Avena strigosa subvar. minor ((Lange) Malzev)
• Avena alba var. hirtula ((Lag.) Emb. & Maire)
• Avena alba f. fallax ((Maire & Weiller) Maire & Weiller)
• Avena fatua subsp. barbata ((Pott ex Link) Rouy)
• Avena barbata f. colorata (Hausskn.)
• Avena alba var. wiestii ((Steud.) Maire & Weiller)
• Avena segetalis (Bianca ex Nyman)
• Avena barbata subsp. lusitanica ((Tab.Morais) Romero Zarco)
• Avena strigosa subvar. glabrifolia (Malzev)
• Avena strigosa subsp. barbata ((Pott ex Link) Thell.)
• Avena strigosa subsp. wiestii ((Steud.) Thell.)
• Avena barbata var. media (Rouy)
• Avena barbata subsp. subtypica ((Malzev) Tzvelev)
• Avena wiestii (Steud.)
• Avena hirsuta (Moench)
• Avena sallentiana (Pau)
• Avena cypria (Sibth.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Assam (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Kuwait (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Nepal (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Turkmenistan (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile North (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Juan Fernández Is. (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• Nevada (introduced)
• New Mexico (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Uruguay (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 24, 2022 by SASTRE Isern (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2017 by Javier López (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 1, 2020 by marcoteresa (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Raffaello 2 Garofalo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2020 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 8, 2017 by Javier López (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 6, 2022 by ojancos (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2021 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Raffaello 2 Garofalo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 18, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2021 by ciel Bleu (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 29, 2022 by Raffaello 2 Garofalo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2022 by Raffaello 2 Garofalo (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 26, 2022 by Gianni Del Bufalo (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 13, 2018 by Lugifa Lugifa (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2022 by SASTRE Isern (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 3, 2021 by Uxeli (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 12, 2020 by Perez Ivan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 23, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Errol VELA (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 28, 2020 by Emanuele Santarelli (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 23, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 9, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

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

Taken Oct 25, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Marcel ETIENNE (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2705300)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:391337-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Avena barbata Pott ex Link)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.5

Ph minimum: 7.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 2

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 5