Secale cereale

The rye plant

Secale cereale, commonly known as rye, is a resilient cereal grain valued for both nutrition and medicinal properties. Historically used in traditional remedies, it possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities. Beyond its dietary importance, rye contributes essential fiber and bioactive compounds that support digestive health and metabolic functions in humans.

  • Scientific name: Secale cereale
  • Family: Poaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Poales and family Poaceae, it is classified under the genus Secale.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Poales WCVP
Family Poaceae WCVP
Genus Secale WCVP

Common Names

This plant, scientifically known as Secale cereale, is recognized by various common names across different linguistic traditions. In French, it is referred to as seigle, while in German, it is known as Roggen. Moving to the Middle East and surrounding regions, it is called شيلم مزروع in Arabic and زوؤان in Arabic (specifically in the Arabic dialect of Sinai/Arz. It is also identified as Əkin çovdarı in Azerbaijani.
Language Common Name Source
fr seigle Wikidata
de Roggen Wikidata
ar شيلم مزروع Wikidata
arz زوؤان Wikidata
az Əkin çovdarı Wikidata
ba Арыш Wikidata
be Жыта пасяўное Wikidata
bg обикновена ръж Wikidata
bo གྲོ་ནག Wikidata
br Segal Wikidata

Distribution

This plant, Secale cerealum, exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several European regions. In Northern Europe, it is commonly found throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Moving into Middle Europe, the species is well-established in Austria. It also maintains a significant presence in Belgium within the same central region. Furthermore, its range extends through the territories of Czechia and Slovakia.

Region Area Source
Northern Europe Great Britain WCVP
Northern Europe Ireland WCVP
Middle Europe Austria WCVP
Middle Europe Belgium WCVP
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia WCVP
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Middle Europe Switzerland WCVP
Southwestern Europe France WCVP
Southwestern Europe Spain WCVP
Southeastern Europe Italy WCVP

Chemicals

Secale cereale has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 5-formyl-THF, 5-methyl-THF, Phy, antitrypsin, ergotamine.

Total chemicals
5
Scientific sources
5

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
5-formyl-THF 1 ★☆☆☆☆
5-methyl-THF 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Phy 1 ★☆☆☆☆
antitrypsin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
ergotamine 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Secale cereale has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antiproliferative, Stimulant.

Total activities
3
Scientific sources
3

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiproliferative 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Stimulant 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Secale cereale has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, appetite, blood pressure, gingivitis.

Total uses
4
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia 1 ★☆☆☆☆
appetite 1 ★☆☆☆☆
blood pressure 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gingivitis 1 ★☆☆☆☆