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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Hordeum distichon is a ANNUAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 4 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

H. vulgare distichon.

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Seed
Edible Uses: Coffee Salt Sweetener

Seed - cooked. The seed can be ground into a flour and used as a cereal in making bread, porridge etc[1, 4, 34, 46]. Malt is obtained by sprouting and roasting the seed, then boiling the seed. The resulting liquid is a sweet substance that is used in making beer and as a food[4, 46]. The longer the seed is roasted, the darker this liquid will be. The roasted (unsprouted) seed is used as a coffee and a salt substitute[46].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antidiarrhoeal Demulcent Nutritive Urinary

Barley grain is an excellent food for convalescence, either in the form of porridge or as a decoction of the seed. It is soothing to the throat and provides easily assimilated nutrients[4, 254]. It can also be taken to clear catarrh. Its demulcent properties soothes inflammation of the gut and urinary tract[254]. It is commonly given to children suffering minor infections or diarrhoea and is particularly recommended as a treatment for feverish states and in catarrhal affections of the respiratory and urinary organs[4, 254]. Made into a poultice, the seed is an effective remedy for soothing and reducing inflammation in sores and swellings[254]. Modern research has shown that barley may be of aid in the treatment of hepatitis, whilst other trials have shown that it may help to control diabetes[254]. Barley bran may have the effect of lowering blood cholesterol levels and preventing bowel cancer[254].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Biomass Mulch Paper

The stems, after the seed has been harvested, have many uses. They are a source of fibres for making paper, a biomass for fuel etc, they can be shredded and used as a mulch[141, 171].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in most soils and in climates ranging from sub-arctic to sub-tropical[1, 171]. Easily grown in light soils[162]. Widely cultivated in temperate zones, especially in cooler or moister areas, for its edible seed[1, 50, 171]. There are many named varieties. This species is sometimes considered to be no more than a sub-species of H. vulgare[61].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in March or October and only just cover the seed. Make sure the soil surface does not dry out if the weather is dry. Germination takes place within 2 weeks.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Hordeum bulbosum	Bulbous Barley	Perennial	1.2	-	LMH	N	DM	2	0	2
Hordeum deficiens		Annual	0.0	-	LMH	N	M	3	0	2
Hordeum hexastichon	Six-Row Barley, Common barley	Annual	1.2	0-0	LMH	N	M	3	0	2
Hordeum intermedium		Annual	1.0	-	LMH	N	M	2	0	2
Hordeum jubatum	Foxtail Barley, Intermediate barley	Perennial	0.3	4-8	LMH	N	DM	1	1	0
Hordeum murinum	Mouse Barley, Smooth barley, Hare barley, Wall barley	Annual	0.5	0-0	LMH	N	DM	2	1
Hordeum trifurcatum	Egyptian Barley	Annual	1.0	-	LMH	N	DM	2	0	2
Hordeum vulgare	Barley, Common barley	Annual	1.0	4-8	LMH	N	M	4	3	2
Hordeum zeocriton	Sprat Barley	Annual	1.0	-	LMH	N	M	2	0	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Hordeum distichon - L.