Foxtail Barley

Hordeum jubatum

Weed Description
Foxtail barley is a tufted annual or short-lived perennial with upright stems mesuring 1-2 feet in height. Native to North America, foxtail barley is commonly found in fields, pastures, roadsides, and waste areas.

Leaves
Foxtail barley leaves measure 3-22cm in length and 2-5mm in width. Leaves are sandpapery to the touch and are pubescent on both sides. Ligules are membranous and quite small, ranging 0.2-1.1mm in length

Flowers
Seedheads are less compact than foxtails and have spikelets in threes, one floret per spikelet. Inflorescences measure 6-20cm in length and large awns that measure 4-8cm in width.

Roots
Fibrous root system.

Identifying Characteristics
Tufted, many-stemmed plant, short membranous ligule, sandpapery textured leaves, and a foxtail-like seedhead are all defining characteristics of Foxtail barley that help identify it from other foxtail species.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Foxtail Barley

Hordeum jubatum