CHAPTER XII 



HORDEUM (Barley) 



Habit of Plant, Roots, Stems, Leaves. — Barley is grown as 

 either a summer or winter annual. It has been observed 

 that two-rowed barley {H. distichon), has a distinct tendency 

 toward the perennial habit like rye. 

 Plants that were mowed down in 

 July sent up new sprouts which de- 

 veloped inflorescences the following 

 September, and after removing these, 

 a third set of sprouts was sent up. 

 It has been suggested that our culti- 

 vated barleys are derived from a 

 perennial form and that in the course 

 of time this habit has been lost. 



The root system of barley resem- 

 bles that of oats. The culm has 

 from five to seven joints, sometimes 

 eight, the length of which increases 

 from below upward. Barley does 

 not tiller as abundantly as oats and 

 winter wheat. The leaves resemble 

 those of wheat. The auricles, how- 

 ever, are usually very much pro- 

 nounced, and may be used as a basis of distinction between 

 the straws (Fig. 26). 



Inflorescence. — The inflorescence is a cyUndrical spike, 

 the shape of which varies slightly in the different barley 

 13 s 



Fig. 48. — Rachises of 

 three common cereals. 

 A, barley; B, wheat; C, 

 rye. X 5- 



