DESCRIPTIVE MANUAL 

 NATURAL CONDITION. 



61 



Little Barley {Hordeum pusillum Nutt.). 



Description. — An annual, 4-10 in. high ; culms more or less genicu- 

 laite at the lower nodes; sheaths smooth, the uppermost often in- 

 flated and enclosing the base of the spike ; leaf -blade 1-3 in. long, 

 usually a little pubescent on the lower srurf ace ; spikes narrow, 1-3 

 in. long ; empty glumes rigid, the 4 internal ones of each group di- 

 lated above the base, those of the central spikelet sublanceolate, all 

 awn-pointed; outer glumes of the imperfect, lateral spikelets seta- 

 ceous ; flowering glume of the central spikelet awned ; awn equaling 

 those of the empty glumes ; florets of the lateral spikelets awnless, 

 or nearly so. 



Distribution. — Common in Missouri and Illinois and becoming 

 plentiful in southeastern Iowa ; also in Marshall and Pottawattamie 

 counties. Common on the plains. 



Extermination. — This annual weed is easily destroyed by cultiva- 

 tion. Comes up abundantly in streets and along roadsides. The 

 production of seed in such places makes it possible for farm land to 

 be sown. The plants should be cut to prevent seeding of farms. 



Chemical Composition.— Accovding to the Wyoming Experiment 

 Station the composition is as follows :* 



*Bul. Wyo. Agr. Exp. Sta. 87 : compiled by Henry G. Knight, Prank B. Hep- 

 ner, Chemists ; and Aven Nelson, Botanist. 



