Hordeum jubatum L.

Tufted perennial (sometimes fl the first year) 3–7 dm, glabrous to densely soft-hairy; lvs flat to involute, 1.5–4(–5) mm wide; auricles wanting or less than 0.5 mm; spikes 4–10 cm (excl. awns), nodding, commonly purpurescent, often appearing as a mass of upwardly scabrous awns; central spikelet of a triad sessile, the lateral on curved pedicels 0.7–1.2 mm, their florets reduced, borne on rachilla-joints ca 0.7 mm; glumes long and awn-like, 2.5–6(–15) cm; fertile lemma 5.5–8 mm, faintly 5-veined, tapering into an awn 1–6 cm; anthers 1–1.5 mm; 2n=14, 28, 42. A weed along roadsides, and often becoming abundant in fields and moist or wet meadows; Nf. to Alas., s. to Del., Ill., Mo., Tex., and Calif. Hybridizes with several spp. of Elymus, q.v.

It is frost hardy. It can grow in salt marshes. It grows in meadows and moist places in north China. It suits hardiness zones 5-8.

The seeds are used as a cereal. They are also parched and made into a coffee like drink.

Can be grown by seedlings.