Hordeum deficiens

Steud.

No photos yet for Hordeum deficiens

Description

Hordeum deficiens is a ANNUAL. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Wind. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Edible Uses

Seed - cooked. The seed can be ground into a flour and used as a cereal in making bread, porridge etc. Malt is obtained by sprouting and roasting the seed. This is a sweet substance and is used in making beer and as a food. The roasted (unsprouted) seed is used as a coffee and a salt substitute.

Distribution

N. Africa - Ethiopia.

Where It Grows

Coming Soon

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils. Easily grown in light soils. A two-rowed species, it is occasionally cultivated in Arabia and Ethiopia for its edible seed.

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ in March or October and only just cover the seed. Make sure the soil surface does not dry out if the weather is dry. Germination takes place within 2 weeks.

Other Uses

Biomass Fibre Mulch Paper. The stems, after the seed has been harvested, have many uses. They are a source of fibres for making paper, a biomass for fuel etc, they can be shredded and used as a mulch.