barley plant

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• barley
• cereal barley
• Six-Rowed Barley
• Common Barley
• Domestic Barley
• Domesticated Barley
• Four-rowed Barley
• Two-rowed Barley

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Hordeum sativum subsp. vulgare
• Hordeum polystichon var. vulgare

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Hordeum vulgare, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Poales and the family Poaceae. Its specific classification is completed by its placement in the genus Hordeum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known scientifically as Hordeum vulgare, exhibits a specific distribution across several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing within the coastal and inland landscapes of Denmark. The species is also documented throughout the territories of Finland. Furthermore, its presence extends to the islands of Great Britain and Iceland. Finally, the plant is well-established within the natural environments of Ireland.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Hordeum vulgare is characterized by a highly adaptable distribution across a vast altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) to high-altitude environments reaching up to 3,900 m AMSL. It is predominantly found within anthropic areas (Área Antrópica), reflecting its close association with human-modified landscapes, agricultural fields, and disturbed sites. This wide elevational range allows the species to colonize diverse climatic zones, though its presence is most frequently defined by its integration into managed ecosystems and human-influenced habitats.

Elevational range max:

3900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Genetics

The genetics of Hordeum vulgare are characterized by a stable diploid genome, which is formally defined by a ploidy level of 2. This diploid status indicates that the organism possesses two complete sets of chromosomes, providing a consistent genetic framework for its inheritance patterns and phenotypic expression. The genome is organized into a specific number of chromosomes that undergo regular meiosis, ensuring genetic diversity through recombination while maintaining the structural integrity of the species. This chromosomal configuration is fundamental to its evolutionary stability and plays a critical role in the expression of traits relevant to its biochemical and medicinal properties.

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Hordeum vulgare is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire developmental cycle—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. Morphologically, it functions as a therophyte, a life form defined by the fact that the majority of its vegetative body dies off at the end of the season, leaving only the seeds to persist through unfavorable conditions. This therophytic strategy ensures survival and rapid colonization, as the plant allocates its energy toward efficient growth and reproduction before the onset of senescence.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Hordeum vulgare is characterized by a graminoid growth form, specifically classified as a non-woody herb. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently without any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies, maintaining a self-supporting structure rather than acting as a climber or vine. The plant exhibits an ascending shoot orientation, with its overall height varying significantly depending on environmental conditions; individual specimens typically range from a minimum height of 0.4 m to a maximum of 1.3 m, with an average plant height of approximately 0.856 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

graminoid

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.3 m

Plant height mean:

0.856 m

Plant height min:

0.4 m

Shoot orientation :

ascending

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Hordeum vulgare is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and environmental adaptations. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies on traditional nutrient uptake through its root system rather than specialized predatory mechanisms. The leaf morphology plays a critical role in its metabolic efficiency, with leaf lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 20 cm to a maximum of 45 cm. These leaves exhibit a mean width of 0.9 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 0.8 cm and a maximum of 1.2 cm, contributing to a mean leaf size of approximately 23.21833 cm². Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 72.74 cm²/g, reflecting its leaf mass distribution and its physiological strategy for balancing light interception with water conservation and resource management.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

45 cm

Leaf length min:

20 cm

Leaf size mean:

23.21833 cm²

Leaf width max:

1.2 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.9 cm

Leaf width min:

0.8 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

72.74 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Hordeum vulgare is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent. The plant produces a spike-type inflorescence, which typically ranges in length from a minimum of 0.04 m to a maximum of 0.1 m. The flowering period is concentrated in the month of June, with both the flowering start and end occurring during this time. Pollination is driven by abiotic factors, specifically utilizing a wind pollination syndrome. Following successful pollination, the plant produces dry fruits containing seeds with highly consistent dimensions; the seeds maintain a mean length of 9 mm (ranging from 9 mm to 9 mm), a mean width of 2.7 mm (ranging from 2.7 mm to 2.7 mm), and a constant volume of 43 mm³. The seed mass is also relatively stable, with a mean of approximately 0.0387 g, oscillating between a minimum of 0.0415 g and a maximum of 0.0423 g. Finally, the dispersal of the species is primarily anthropochorous, relying on human activity for movement.

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit dryness :

dry

Inflorescence :

spike

Inflorescence length max:

0.1 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.04 m

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

9 mm

Seed mass max:

0.0423 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0387183333333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.0415 g

Seed volume max:

43 mm³

Seed width mean:

2.7 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Hordeum vulgare has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, seed.

Leaf

1. Anti-inflammatory & anti-allergy agents in medicinal chemistry
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Seed

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Chemicals

Hordeum vulgare has 217 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, STARCH, CHROMIUM, Fatty acids, Jasmonic acid.

Flavonoids

1. Journal of separation science
2. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin
3. Frontiers in plant science
4. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

STARCH

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food science & nutrition
3. Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
4. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

CHROMIUM

1. Dr. Duke
2. Annals of nutrition & metabolism

Fatty acids

1. Pharmaceutical biology
2. The Biochemical journal

Jasmonic acid

1. Dr. Duke
2. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Lunasin

1. International journal of biological macromolecules
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Melatonin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal of medicinal food

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke
2. Journal - Association of Official Analytical Chemists

Saponarin

1. Dr. Duke
2. Anti-inflammatory & anti-allergy agents in medicinal chemistry

TOCOPHEROL

1. BMC plant biology
2. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry

Activities

Hordeum vulgare has 637 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, ACE-Inhibitor.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Anti-inflammatory & anti-allergy agents in medicinal chemistry
3. BMC complementary and alternative medicine
4. Food science & nutrition
5. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Antibacterial

1. Dr. Duke
2. Food science & nutrition

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

ACE-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

AP-1-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Absorbent

1. Dr. Duke

Acarifuge

1. Dr. Duke

Acetylcholinergic

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Hordeum vulgare has 35 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include cancer, indigestion, oxidative stress, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, abiotic stress.

Cancer

1. Anti-inflammatory & anti-allergy agents in medicinal chemistry
2. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Indigestion

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Oxidative stress

1. Journal of plant physiology
2. Journal of hazardous materials

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. Food science & nutrition

Abiotic stress

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Acne

1. Anti-inflammatory & anti-allergy agents in medicinal chemistry

Acne vulgaris

1. Journal of cosmetic dermatology

Anemia

1. BMC complementary medicine and therapies

Anti-oxidant

1. The American journal of Chinese medicine

Antioxidant

1. International journal of biological macromolecules

Preparations

Hordeum vulgare has 7 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Barley Grass Hexane Extract (BGHE), Barley grass aqueous extract (BGAQ), Hordeum vulgare L. extract (HVE), aqueous extract, aqueous extracts.

Barley grass hexane extract (bghe)

1. Anti-inflammatory & anti-allergy agents in medicinal chemistry

Barley grass aqueous extract (bgaq)

1. Anti-inflammatory & anti-allergy agents in medicinal chemistry

Hordeum vulgare l. extract (hve)

1. Nutrition research and practice

Aqueous extract

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Aqueous extracts

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Grains

1. Planta medica

Plant extracts

1. Food science & nutrition