Barley
Hordeum distichon
Synonyms: Hordeum turkestanicum, Hordeum europaeum, Hordeum princeps, Hordeum sativum var. distichon, Hordeum vulgare var. macrolepis, Hordeum vulgare var. breve, Hordeum vulgare var. erectum, Hordeum distichon subsp. nutans, Hordeum praecocius, Zeocriton distichon var. nudum, Hordeum chevalieri, Hordeum distichon subsp. erectum, Hordeum distichon var. zeocriton, Hordeum vulgare var. aethiopicum, Hordeum nudum, Hordeum vulgare var. deficiens, Hordeum volhynicum, Hordeum vulgare subsp. distichon, Hordeum monticola, Zeocriton commune, Hordeum anglicum, Hordeum distichon subsp. nudum, Hordeum colchicum, Hordeum kentii, Hordeum distichon var. nudum, Hordeum macrolepis, Hordeum distichon subsp. zeocriton, Hordeum vulgare subsp. deficiens, Hordeum vilmorianum, Hordeum distichon var. laxum, Hordeum vulgare var. nudum, Hordeum germanicum, Zeocriton vulgare, Hordeum irregulare, Hordeum lenkoranicum, Hordeum bohemicum, Hordeum laxum, Hordeum glabrum, Hordeum elisabethpolense, Hordeum imberbe, Hordeum distichon var. nigricans, Hordeum korshinskianum, Hordeum distichon var. pseudozeocriton, Hordeum suecicum, Hordeum wolgense, Hordeum vulgare var. distichon, Hordeum scandinavicum, Hordeum werneri, Hordeum vulgare var. nutans, Zeocriton distichon, Hordeum nudideficiens, Hordeum zeocriton, Hordeum sativum subsp. distichon, Hordeum distichon var. erythraeum, Hordeum distichon var. densum, Hordeum deficiens, Hordeum distichon var. ramosum, Hordeum eriwanense, Hordeum richardsonii
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Hordeum distichon, two-rowed barley, is an annual cereal grass in the Poaceae cultivated since prehistory throughout the temperate Old World and now grown worldwide; it is treated by many modern taxonomists as a cultivated form of Hordeum vulgare. Plants grow 60-120 cm tall with hollow, jointed culms and flat, glaucous leaf blades 10-25 cm long. The inflorescence is a dense, terminal, slightly nodding spike 5-10 cm long bearing spikelets arranged in three at each node of a tough rachis. Unlike six-rowed barley, only the central spikelet at each node is fertile and grain-bearing, giving the mature ear two visible rows of plump caryopses; the lateral spikelets remain sterile. Each fertile floret produces a long, stout awn that gives the crop its characteristic bristly appearance. Two-rowed barley is favoured for malting because of its uniform, large, low-protein grains.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.