Wall Barley (also known as False Barley or Mouse Barley)
Hordeum murinum · Cool-season, Annual, C3 grass
Grass Family
Poaceae, subfamily Pooideae, tribe Triticeae
Grass Category
Invasive/Weed Grass, Ruderal Species
Variety / Cultivar
Common wild type (Hordeum murinum subsp. murinum)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Zones 3-10. Highly cold-tolerant as a winter annual; dies off after seed production in high summer heat.
About This Grass
A coarse, tufted annual grass reaching 10-20 inches in height. It features a distinctive flattened, spike-like seed head with long awns that resemble bristles. It turns from bright green to a straw-yellow or brownish color as it cures in late spring or summer.
Blade Characteristics
Medium width (2-4mm), flat blades with a pointed tip. Light to medium green color. Vernation is rolled. Features prominent long, slender auricles that clasp the stem. The ligule is short and membranous.
Root System
Shallow, fibrous root system typical of annual grasses. It does not form a dense sod and has low thatch-forming tendency due to its annual lifecycle.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe, North Africa, and Temperate Asia; highly naturalized in North America, Australia, and South Africa.
Growth Habit
Tufted, bunch-growing annual with an upright to semi-prostrate habit. Spreads primarily by seed dispersal.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun to partial shade. Prefers disturbed sites, roadsides, and waste areas. High drought tolerance once established but relies on seasonal rainfall for winter/spring growth.
Mowing & Maintenance
Not typically cultivated; in turf, it is considered a weed. It tolerates low mowing but will quickly produce low-lying seed heads to survive. High maintenance difficulty because seeds are sharp and persistent.
Special Characteristics
Notable for its 'hitchhiking' seeds. The long, barbed awns attach to fur and clothing. These seeds can be dangerous to pets, as they can lodge in ears, paws, and nostrils.
Ecological Information
Introduced/Invasive in many regions. Provides minimal forage value for livestock only when very young; becomes unpalatable and hazardous once seed heads emerge. Pioneer species for disturbed soils.