758 WEED FLORA OF IOWA 



Fig. 564. Wild Barley (Hordeum jubatum) . Originally common along the 

 shores of the Great Lakes, and alkali regions of the west. 



possibly native, it is more than probable that this weedy grass has 

 come into our state from the west as well as the east. It has be- 

 come so thoroughly at home in many parts of Iowa that no one 

 would be able to say, except for the records we have, that it has 

 not always been indigenous. 



Forty years ago this weed was mentioned by Dr. Bessey as oc- 

 curring in Iowa, "found along railroads, perhaps introduced," 

 being noticed at Ames especially. It undoubtedly occurred in 

 ether parts of the state, but could not have been abundant or its 

 presence would have been noted. Early in 1876 Dr. J. C. Arthur 

 listed the plant from Iowa without locality. Prof. Halsted refers 

 to the weed as common, but not excluding valuable plants. He 

 considered it an introduced plant. One other botanist, Prof. A. S. 

 Hitchcock, listed the plant from Ames, and remarks: "Waste 

 places; common." The plant was certainly abundant about Ames 

 in 1889, when I came here, but it has not spread quite so alarmingly 

 as prickly lettuce (Lactuca scariola L.). In July, 1895, a circular 

 was sent out to some correspondents in every county in the state 



