Poaceae

Hordeum leporinum

Common Names: Barley grass

Plant Form: Tufted short annual grass. Size: Up to 50 cm tall, usually under 20 cm. Stem: Upright, narrow. Leaves: Hairless or sometimes hairy, flat, up to 15 cm long, very narrow. Flowers: Dense cylindrical head of spikelets, 3-10 cm long with long bristles. Fruit and Seeds: Seeds in groups of 3, with one awn. Habitat: Pastures, crops, roadsides, waste areas. Distinguishing Features: Barleys (Hordeum species) are distinct but it very hard to distinguish individual species. Expert advice is recommended. Impacts: Affect wool quality, awns can cause injuries to lambs, outcompetes native grasses.

Wheat-like heads

Very short grass

Grows in Spring, dies in Summer