Hordeum jubatum

Species category

Weed

Common name

foxtail barley

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

FascicleFascicle:
Much the same as a burr except the spikelet glumes are soft, e.g. buffelgrass.

Shape

SpikeletsSpikelet:
One or more florets that are subtended by a pair of bracts called glumes. Spikelets are pedicellate if located on a pedicle and sessile if attached directly to the rachis. Often spikelets with single florets have remnants of a second floret, usually a lemma.
, cluster of three

Size

  • Length 6–7.5 mm 
  • Width 1–1.8 mm 
  • Thickness 0.7–0.9 mm 

Color

Light brown

Texture

Flat surfaces smooth; awnsAwn:
A narrow, bristle-like organ, as on the glumes or lemmas of grasses (Poaceae).
, glumesGlume:
The pair of chaffy bracts that occur at the base of a grass spikelet, often completely enclosing it.
, and margins scabrousScabrous:
Rough to the touch, covered with minute points of very short, stiff hairs.
.

Lemma

Broadest in middle with straight taper to either end; awned.

Palea

Broad and flat

Other structures

Two pedicellate, sterile spikeletsSpikelet:
One or more florets that are subtended by a pair of bracts called glumes. Spikelets are pedicellate if located on a pedicle and sessile if attached directly to the rachis. Often spikelets with single florets have remnants of a second floret, usually a lemma.
on either side of the fertile one

Identification notes

The unit disarticulates with a segment of the rachisRachis:
The central axis of an inflorescence.
. Two lateral spikeletsSpikelet:
One or more florets that are subtended by a pair of bracts called glumes. Spikelets are pedicellate if located on a pedicle and sessile if attached directly to the rachis. Often spikelets with single florets have remnants of a second floret, usually a lemma.
are pedicellate with linear glumesGlume:
The pair of chaffy bracts that occur at the base of a grass spikelet, often completely enclosing it.
and a rudimentary floretFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.
. The central, fertile floretFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.
is sessileSessile:
A flower or spikelet with no pedicel therefore attached directly to the central axis (rachis) or other surfaces.
with two linear glumesGlume:
The pair of chaffy bracts that occur at the base of a grass spikelet, often completely enclosing it.
.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Included

Nomenclature

Family

Poaceae

Valid name

Hordeum jubatum L.

 Hordeum jubatum . Fascicles with two lateral spikelets that are pedicellate with linear glumes and a rudimentary floret.
Hordeum jubatum. Fascicles with two lateral spikelets that are pedicellate with linear glumes and a rudimentary floret.