El hordeum murinum, which is commonly found in dry areas and close to urbanity, such as roadsides and near walls and homes, as well as in disturbed areas, such as wastelands.
In all areas inhabited by human beings we can see a species of weed called hordeum murinum, which is also known as mousetrap barley or with the popular name of spikelet.
Features
It is not a plant that is suitable for consumption, like your close family member, the barleyIt is also not suitable for forage or pasta to feed cattle, although it is often used for this and is usually found in all parts of the world, although its origin dates back to the eastern Mediterranean.
This spikelet is considered a weed throughout the world, therefore there are few climates on the planet that do not allow its growth, being an indicator of soils of moderate dryness and growing in full light, although it also supports the shade without any inconvenience.
This is a very difficult species to control, finding its way into all types of soil. In the following article we will give you the general characteristics of a species that, although it does not represent any recognized danger to humans, is an invasive in all types of ecosystems and it will be difficult for you to get rid of it.
Description of the plant hordeum murinum
All kinds of vascular plant that produces seeds, as is the hordeum murinum, It is considered phanerogam and this in turn is herbaceous and has hollow stems that have a spike. This spike is a cylindrical extension of the stem which is considered its inflorescence and among its characteristics are that it is dense and brittle, in which three spikelets, glumes or glumelas of a single flower are formed at the same time.
Of these three spikelets, the two on the sides show sterile characteristics, while the one in the center is bisexual. Rough and long edges will be formed by the extension of each tip of the bracts, so that a single seed emerges from each group of spikelets, which will flower in the spring or summer seasons.
Within hordeum murinum there are 2 subspecies and 4 different sections with their respective genotypes. These are the two important groups that divide the types of this plant, which differ between them by the amount of chromosomes they have.
- H murinum var. Glaucum: It inhabits the warmest areas near the Mediterranean, close to continental and oceanic climates and lower temperatures.
- H murinum var. Leporinum: also known as hare barley, it is found in semi-arid areas, where there is rainfall of less than 425mm.
General features
This plant is an annual grass, which means that has only one harvest a year, and although it can reach a height of 50 centimeters, its average height is between 16 and 30 centimeters approximately.
Its color generally oscillates between green and khaki, sometimes presenting some type of purplish pigmentation and it will be the end of winter and the beginning of spring the moment of its flowering.
It is considered a cosmopolitan plant, because it is found precisely on all continents, ruderal, due to its high capacity and toughness to live in almost all ecosystems, resisting any temperature and weed, because it grows between crops, which means a problem for farmers, who must eradicate it from their lands, with little success.
A species with high risk of introduction
It may be that in some countries there are still no specimens of this plant or even that there are still few foci where they are, but after several studies it was concluded that these plants enter new countries in a very invasive way, by different routes and without any inconvenience. In many of these countries, measures are not taken to stop the proliferation of this species, simply because it does not generate any kind of inconvenience.
Characteristics that make it invasive
In the previous point we pointed out that this species shows a very easy entry to places where it did not inhabit and this has to do specifically with the fact that the hordeum murinum reproduces through seeds that are very easily dispersed, either by agricultural machinery, when it performs its harvesting or sowing activities, as well as by agricultural machinery and different types of vehicles.
Any type of disturbance will favor its germination, so it is very possible that they are found in large numbers in environments where grazing and different types of agricultural activities are carried out.
History
This barley is very confused with the vulgar hordeum, that is, barley, which means the most robust and tall species of this genus, with which beer is brewed, flour for baking and as fodder.
The story goes that in times when hunger attacked the peoples, the hordeum murinum It was also used to make baked goods, surely without obtaining the same quality, so, even if they have one on the door or around the walls of their houses, this species is not well received or remembered by previous generations, for making them remember bad times.
Different studies of the plant
Different studies have been carried out on of the impact that this type of plant has on human beings as a species and on the ecosystem.
Impact on humans
In the case of how much it affects us, human beings, this type of barley does not have any kind of bad consequence in the case of its ingestion, although it does can lead to allergy symptoms the contact and rubbing of certain sensitive skins with them. As its seeds are scattered by the wind, it can also happen that enter our eyes, generating some kind of discomfort, but without any major inconvenience.
Potential impacts where you live
In the particular case of the impact it has on the places where it grows, the hordeum murinum can form dense populations that will compete for water with native species, or are planted there, which it means a complication for the owners of the crops. As their seeds are very dry and very easy to spread by the wind, they are very likely to contribute to increasing the frequency and volume of forest fires.