Barleys, Bristle-grasses and similar species

Green Bristle-grass Foxtail Barley Bread Wheat Foxtail Fountain-grass

What are they?

Most of us have seen the heads of Wheat or Barley growing in crop fields and this group consists of species that have a barley or wheat look to them. Most are annual species.

Where are they found?

Generally, these are mostly annual species of waste or disturbed ground, sometimes appearing as garden weeds.

Identification

The long, bristle-like awns on the flower heads distinguish this group. Identification is covered under the individual species.



Bread Wheat      Triticum aestivum

Occasionally found as a non-persistent weed, formerly as spillage from farmfields but now usually from spilt birdseed in backyards and waste places. Flowers June to August. Flowers may be awned or not. Stems often bluish like Cereal Rye but flower heads stiffer and usually more upright.
Bread Wheat Bread Wheat
Habit
Flower spike

Virginia Wild-rye      Elymus virginicus

A native species of fairly shady places, woodland edge or hedge bottoms, generally in damper ground. Flowers July to September. Flowers are striped green and pale yellow.
Virginia Wild-rye Virginia Wild-rye Virginia Wild-rye
Habit
Spike close-up
Flower close-up

Foxtail Barley      Hordeum jubatum

A widespread and often common species of dry, often barren ground. Flowers June to August. A showy, short species whose flower awns are often tinged pink.
Foxtail Barley Foxtail Barley Foxtail Barley Foxtail Barley
Habit
Flower spike
Single spikelet
Leaf ligule

Little Barley      Hordeum pusillum

Not considered native to New Jersey but may be spreading northward and is occasionally found on disturbed grounds and roadsides. Flowers June to August. As its name suggests, this is a small barley which is usually no more than twelve inches high and often less.
Little Barley Little Barley Little Barley Little Barley
Flower head
Flower spikelet
Flower spikelet
Leaf ligule

Cereal Rye      Secale cereale

Occurs occasionally as a self-sown relic of cultivated crops, in waste and cultivated ground and occasionally roadsides. Flowers May to August. Often a rather tall, upright plant, readily recognised by its long, barley-like head and the bluish 'bloom' which covers the entire plant.
Cereal Rye Cereal Rye Cereal Rye Cereal Rye
Habit
Flower spike
Flower close-up
Leaf & stem with
blue 'bloom'

Foxtail Fountain-grass      Pennisetum alopecuroides

Commonly grown as a garden ornamental and occasionally self-seeding into the wider countryside. Occasional on waste ground, roadsides and coastal dunes. Flowers July to September.
Foxtail Fountain-grass Foxtail Fountain-grass Foxtail Fountain-grass Foxtail Fountain-grass
Habit
Ripe stamens
Ripe stigmas
Leaf ligules

Giant Bristle-grass      Setaria magna

A native species found in a few brackish wetland locations. Flowers July to September. An impressive grass that may grow to seven or eight high, with long, stately flower heads.
Giant Bristle-grass Giant Bristle-grass Giant Bristle-grass Giant Bristle-grass
Habit
Flower spikes
Flower close-up
Leaf ligule

Green Bristle-grass      Setaria viridis

Introduced from Europe. Not uncommon weed of waste ground, roadsides and cultivated areas. Flowers July to September.
Green Bristle-grass Green Bristle-grass Green Bristle-grass
Flower spike
Flower close-up
Leaf ligule

Foxtail Bristle-grass      Setaria italica

Introduced from Europe. Occasionally found as a relic of cultivation and occasionally sown as a 'cover crop' on bare ground. Flowers June to September. This species is unknown in the wild and is generally considered to have originated as a cultivated form of Green Bristle-grass. It is very similar to that species, but is generally larger in all parts, and the florets are smoother.
Foxtail Bristle-grass Foxtail Bristle-grass Foxtail Bristle-grass
Habit
Leaf sheath
Leaf ligule

Nodding Bristle-grass      Setaria faberi

(Japanese Bristle-grass) A widespread and often common species of field edges and roadsides and - especially around Cape May Point - commonly in wet ground. Flowers July to October. A distinctive species with its curved, bristly heads.
Nodding Bristle-grass Nodding Bristle-grass Nodding Bristle-grass Nodding Bristle-grass
Habit
Flower spike
Flower close-up
Single floret

Perennial Bristle-grass      Setaria parviflora

(Marsh Bristle-grass) A widespread species of wet ground, often found on the upper margins of saltmarsh. Flowers July to October.
Perennial Bristle-grass Perennial Bristle-grass Perennial Bristle-grass Perennial Bristle-grass
Habit
Flower spike
Leaf ligule
Roots nobbly

Yellow Bristle-grass      Setaria pumila

(Yellow Foxtail) Introduced from Europe. A common weed of all kinds of disturbed and waste ground. Flowers July to October. Readily told by its bright yellow bristles.
Yellow Bristle-grass Yellow Bristle-grass Yellow Bristle-grass Yellow Bristle-grass
Habit
Flower spike
Single floret
Leaf ligule