Photo of Hare Barley plant

Typical plant growing in disturbed site. Photo by S. Donaldson.

Hare Barley leaves

The leaves are long, narrow and may be hairy.
 

 Hare Barley flower

A flowering spike.
 

Hare Barley seeds

As  flowering spikes dry, they break apart into barked seeds.
(All photos by S. Donaldson)
 

 

Other common names

Wild barley, foxtail, farmer’s foxtail, mouse barley.

Scientific name

Hordeum murinum

Family

Poaceae

Description

  • Leaves

    Flat and narrow (0.1 to 0.3 inches wide), smooth or hairy with well‐developed auricles (protrusions) that clasp the stem. Leaves may be up to 8 inches long.

  • Stems

    Produces round stems that grow in an upright or broad form, spreading from the base of the plant.

  • Flowers

    Grows a bristly, thick spike 1 to 3 inches long, with 1/4‐ to 1‐inch‐long awns (bristles), in spring. The spike looks like a fox’s tail. Blooms from spring to early summer.

  • Seeds

    Once the spikes have dried out, forms barbed seeds often referred to as "foxtails." Seeds stick to the fur of animals, human clothing, etc.

  • Roots

    Fibrous

Native to

Eurasia; naturalized to the western United States

Where it grows

Cultivated land, roadsides, landscaped areas, turf, vacant lots, in pavement cracks and other disturbed or unmanaged sites. Often grows in wet and salty areas.

Life cycle

Cool‐season annual (grows in cooler spring weather)

Reproduction

Reproduces by seed.

Control methods

Control hare barley prior to seed formation. As this occurs in early spring, careful monitoring is needed to stop the spread of this weed.

 

  • Mechanical

    Dig, hoe or pull young seedlings. Use mechanical control methods prior to formation of spikes. Mowing encourages plants to grow close to the ground and does not control them.

    Cultural

    Thick mulches can help prevent seed germination. Plant desirable vegetation that will shade the area and reduce germination and growth of young plants.

    Biological

    None. Grazing can result in an increase in the amount of foxtail barley in a pasture, and the seeds can injure animals.

    Chemical

    Apply grass‐selective herbicides on young plants. Pre‐emergence herbicides can be used to manage existing seed banks.

References

Calflora Taxon Report 4227, http://www.calflora.org/cgi‐bin/species_query.cgi?where‐calrecnum=4227.

DiTomaso, J.M. and E.A. Healy. 2007. Weeds of California and Other Western States. University of California Publication 3488.

Halvorson, W.L. and Guertin, P. 2003. Fact Sheet for Hordeum L. species. USGS Weeds in the West Project, http://sdrsnet.srnr.arizona.edu/data/sdrs/ww/docs/hord_spp.pdf.

UC IPM. No date. Hare Barley, http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/WEEDS/hare_barley.html.

Whitson, Tom D. (editor). 2002. Weeds of the West. University of Wyoming, Jackson, Wyoming.

Donaldson, S., Hanson Mazet, W. 2010, A Northern Nevada Homeowner’s Guide to Identifying and Managing Hare Barley, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno FS-10-26
Printable    Version    (PDF)

Learn more about the author(s)

Wendy Hanson Mazet
Wendy Hanson Mazet
 

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