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Meadow Barley

Hordeum brachyantherum

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Poales
Family:
Poaceae (Grass)
Also in this family:
Alpine Catstail, Alpine Foxtail, Alpine Meadow-grass, Annual Beard-grass, Annual Meadow-grass, Arrow Bamboo, Barren Brome Grass, Bearded Couch Grass, Bearded Fescue, Bermuda Grass, Black Bent, Black Grass, Blue Fescue, Blue Moor-grass, Bog Hair-grass, Borrer's Saltmarsh Grass, Bread Wheat, Bristle Bent, Brown Bent, Brown Sedge, Bulbous Foxtail, Bulbous Meadow-grass, California Brome Grass, Canary Grass, Carnation Sedge, Cocksfoot, Cockspur, Common Bent, Common Cord-grass, Common Millet, Common Reed, Common Saltmarsh Grass, Compact Brome Grass, Corn, Couch Grass, Creeping Bent, Creeping Soft-grass, Crested Dog's-tail, Crested Hair-grass, Cultivated Oat, Curved Hard Grass, Cut Grass, Dense Silky Bent, Downy Oat-grass, Drooping Brome Grass, Drooping Tor Grass, Dune Fescue, Early Hair-grass, Early Meadow-grass, Early Sand-grass, False Brome Grass, False Oat-grass, Fern Grass, Fine-leaved Sheep's Fescue, Flattened Meadow-grass, Floating Sweet-grass, Foxtail Barley, French Oat, Giant Fescue, Glaucous Meadow-grass, Great Brome Grass, Greater Quaking Grass, Grey Hair-grass, Hairy Brome Grass, Hairy Finger-grass, Hard Fescue, Hard Grass, Harestail Grass, Heath Grass, Holy Grass, Hybrid Marram Grass, Italian Rye Grass, Knotroot Bristlegrass, Lesser Hairy Brome Grass, Lesser Quaking Grass, Loose Silky Bent, Lyme Grass, Marram Grass, Marsh Foxtail, Mat Grass, Mat-grass Fescue, Meadow Fescue, Meadow Foxtail, Meadow Oat-grass, Mountain Melick, Narrow-leaved Meadow-grass, Narrow-leaved Small-reed, Neglected Couch Grass, Nit Grass, Orange Foxtail, Pampas Grass, Perennial Rye Grass, Plicate Sweet-grass, Purple Moor-grass, Purple Small-reed, Purple-stem Catstail, Quaking Grass, Ratstail Fescue, Red Fescue, Reed Canary Grass, Reed Sweet-grass, Reflexed Saltmarsh Grass, Rescue Grass, Rough Meadow-grass, Rush-leaved Fescue, Sand Catstail, Sand Couch Grass, Scandinavian Small-reed, Scottish Small-reed, Sea Barley, Sea Couch Grass, Sea Fern Grass, Sheep's Fescue, Silver Hair-grass, Six-rowed Barley, Slender Brome Grass, Small Cord-grass, Small Sweet-grass, Smaller Catstail, Smooth Brome Grass, Smooth Cord-grass, Smooth Finger-grass, Smooth Meadow-grass, Soft Brome Grass, Somerset Hair-grass, Sorghum, Spreading Meadow-grass, Squirreltail Fescue, Stiff Brome Grass, Stiff Saltmarsh Grass, Sweet Vernal Grass, Tall Fescue, Timothy Grass, Tor Grass, Tufted Hair-grass, Two-rowed Barley, Upright Brome Grass, Velvet Bent, Viviparous Fescue, Wall Barley, Wavy Hair-grass, Wavy Meadow-grass, Whorl Grass, Wild Oat, Wood Barley, Wood Fescue, Wood Meadow-grass, Wood Melick, Wood Millet, Yellow Oat-grass, Yorkshire Fog
Type:
Flower
Life Cycle:
Annual or Perennial
Maximum Size:
50 centimetres tall
Habitats:
Grassland, meadows, roadsides, seaside, walls.

Flower:
֍
Green, no petals
 
Compact, purple-tinted, flower spikes with long awns. The spikes are a maximum of 5cm long. The rough, bristle-like glumes are shorter than those of the similar looking Wall Barley (Hordeum murinum).
Fruit:
The fruit is a caryopsis.
Leaves:
A perennial grass which is shorter than the similar looking Wall Barley. Flat, rough, mid-green leaves, 5mm wide.
Other Names:
Knotted Barley Grass.
Frequency (UK):
Occasionally seen  

Similar Species

Sea Barley

Wall Barley
Wall Barley

Other Information

Summary

Meadow barley (Hordeum brachyantherum) is a species of grass that is native to North America. It is a common weed that is found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, meadows, fields, and along roadsides. Meadow barley is a hardy plant that can grow in a wide range of soils and climates. It has thin, upright stalks that can reach heights of up to 1 meter (3 feet) and has long, narrow leaves that are a bright green color. The plant produces small, inconspicuous flowers that are followed by small, hard seeds that are contained in a hull. Meadow barley is considered a weed in many areas because it can outcompete native plants for resources and can alter the structure and function of natural ecosystems.

Blog

Meadow Barley: A Versatile Plant with a Wealth of Benefits

Hordeum brachyantherum, also known as Meadow Barley, is a versatile and hardy plant that grows in a variety of habitats, from wet meadows to dry hillsides. This fast-growing annual grass is native to North America and has been used for a variety of purposes, from food and medicine to animal feed and erosion control.

Health Benefits: Meadow Barley is a rich source of nutrients, including vitamins B and E, calcium, iron, and antioxidants. It is also a good source of dietary fiber and protein. In traditional medicine, the leaves and stems of Meadow Barley have been used to treat a variety of ailments, including diarrhea, fevers, and respiratory problems.

Food Uses: The seeds of Meadow Barley can be roasted and used as a coffee substitute, or ground into a flour to make bread, porridge, or other baked goods. The young shoots of Meadow Barley can also be eaten as a salad green or cooked like asparagus.

Erosion Control: Meadow Barley has been used as a cover crop to control soil erosion, as its deep roots help to stabilize the soil and prevent runoff. Its fast growth and dense growth habit also help to protect the soil from the impact of heavy rain.

Animal Feed: Meadow Barley is a valuable food source for a variety of wildlife, including birds, rabbits, and deer. It is also used as a forage crop for livestock, providing a nutritious source of food for cattle, sheep, and goats.

Landscape Use: In addition to its practical uses, Meadow Barley also adds beauty to the landscape. Its delicate green foliage and feathery plumes of seeds add texture and interest to gardens, meadows, and wildflower plantings.

Cultivation: Meadow Barley is easy to grow from seed, and will thrive in a variety of soils and conditions. It prefers full sun, but will tolerate some shade. It can be sown in spring or fall and will grow quickly, producing seeds in just a few months. Once established, Meadow Barley is very hardy and can withstand drought, cold, and heat.

Invasive Species: While Meadow Barley is a valuable and attractive plant, it can also become invasive in certain areas. It has the ability to self-sow and spread quickly, so it is important to keep it contained in a garden or meadow setting. Regular mowing or cutting back can help to control its spread, and it can also be managed by removing seed heads before they mature.

Sustainable Agriculture: Meadow Barley is a valuable plant in the context of sustainable agriculture. Its deep roots help to improve soil health and fertility, making it an ideal cover crop for regenerative agriculture systems. Its fast growth and abundance of seeds also make it a valuable crop for agroforestry systems, where it can be grown as a nurse crop for slower-growing trees.

Wildlife Habitat: In addition to providing food for wildlife, Meadow Barley also provides habitat for a variety of pollinators and other beneficial insects. Its delicate flowers and abundant seed heads attract a wide range of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making it an important plant for wildlife conservation.

Economics: Meadow Barley has the potential to provide economic benefits for farmers and rural communities. Its fast growth and high yields make it a valuable crop for farmers, while its use in erosion control and sustainable agriculture systems can help to improve land values and reduce soil degradation.

In conclusion, Meadow Barley is a plant with many benefits and uses. From its role in sustainable agriculture and wildlife conservation to its potential for providing economic benefits, this versatile and hardy plant is definitely worth exploring. Whether you are a farmer, gardener, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty and benefits of nature, Meadow Barley is sure to make a valuable addition to your landscape or garden.

Distribution Map

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

Click to open an Interactive Map