Rye
Secale cereale ancestrale

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae

What it is like

Secale cereale ancestrale is a ANNUAL. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. 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 and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 0

Where it is found

Sandy places in vineyards, field edges etc, 100 - 1370 metres in Turkey.

W. Asia.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Seed - cooked. It can be ground into a flour and used as a cereal in making bread, biscuits etc.

Seed: includes nuts, cereals, peas and beans.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 0

How it is grown

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will succeed in Britain, though it should succeed as a spring-sown annual and possibly as an autumn sown plant. It is a primitive form of the cultivated cereal rye, Secale cereale and as such could be of value in breeding programmes. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in most soils but prefers a well-drained light soil in a sunny position.

Propagating it: Seed - sow March or October in situ and only just cover the seed. Germination should take place within 2 weeks.

Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Annual

Hardiness: 3-7

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

S. cereale ancestrale. (Zhuk.)Kit Tan.