Bulbous Barley
Hordeum bulbosum
Family: Poaceae or Gramineae
What it is like
Hordeum bulbosum is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). It is in flower from June to July. 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 dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 1.2
Where it is found
Dry grassland.
S. Europe - Mediterranean.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Seed - cooked. The seed can be ground into a flour and used as a cereal in making bread, porridge etc. Root - chewed or occasionally eaten.
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
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.
Biomass: Provides a large quantity of plant material that can be converted into fuel etc.
Fibre: Used for making cloth, rope, paper etc.
Mulch: Used for covering the ground to conserve the nutrients in the soil.
Paper: Related to the entry for Fibre, these plants have been specifically mentioned for paper making.
How it is grown
Succeeds in most soils. Easily grown in light soils. This plant is currently (1992) being tested for its potential as a perennial grain in N. America.
Propagating it: 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.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness:
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist