Six-Row Barley, Common barley
Hordeum hexastichon

Family: Poaceae or Gramineae

What it is like

Hordeum hexastichon is a ANNUAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). It 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.

Height (m): 1.2

Where it is found

Not known in a truly wild situation.

Of uncertain origin.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Seed - cooked. The seed can be ground into a flour and used as a cereal in making bread, porridge etc. Malt is obtained by sprouting and roasting the seed. This is a sweet substance and is used in making beer and as a food. The roasted (unsprouted) seed is used as a coffee and a salt substitute.

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.

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 and in climates ranging from sub-arctic to sub-tropical. Easily grown in light soils. This species is considered by most botanists to be no more than a part of H. vulgare.

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: Annual

Hardiness: 0-0

Growth:

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

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

H. vulgare hexastichon.