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wall barley

Hordeum murinum

Wall barley is a grassy plant that grows in many places, often in gardens and along roads. It has long, slender leaves and produces tiny flowers that turn into seeds.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The wall barley is a medium-sized grass with upright stems and distinctive, bristly seed heads. Its dense, paintbrush-like spikes are typically greenish-yellow, often tinged with purple, making them stand out against other grasses.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderPoalesFamilyPoaceaeGenusHordeum
wall barley
flowering trait badgegrasslike trait badgedrought_tolerant trait badgeedible trait badge
wall barley

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Its spiky seeds are a nightmare for dogs' paws and can stick to your socks!

Sometimes called 'foxtail' because its bristly head looks like a tiny fox's tail!

This common weed is a wild cousin of the barley grain used to make bread!

Wall barley is named for loving to grow in gaps in walls and pavements!

Special abilities

Ability

Velcro Seeds

Wall barley has barbed awns that cling to fur and clothes, helping its seeds travel far and wide.

Ability

Crack Conqueror

This tough grass can grow in compacted soil and small cracks, where other plants struggle to survive.

Measurements & details

Height
10-60 cm
Spread
10-30 cm
Flower Size
1-2 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to summer
Edible
No
Toxicity
None
Lifecycle
Annual
Pollination Method
Wind

Ecological connections

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always look but don't touch plants without asking an adult first.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is wall barley?

10-60 cm

How wide does wall barley spread?

10-30 cm

How big are the flowers on wall barley?

1-2 cm

When does wall barley bloom?

Late spring to summer

Is wall barley edible?

No

Is wall barley toxic?

None

What is wall barley's lifecycle?

Annual

How is wall barley pollinated?

Wind

Snap Map

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Where to spot

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