Aegilops triuncialis
L.
Poaceae
Aegilopodes triuncialis (L.) Á.Löve
Aegilops aristata Req. ex Bertol.
Aegilops echinata C.Presl
Aegilops elongata Lam.
Aegilops persica Boiss. ex Hohen.
Aegilops squarrosa L.
Aegilops triaristata Req. ex Bertol.
Triticum persicum (Boiss. ex Hohen.) Aitch. & Hemsl.
Triticum squarrosum (L.) Raspail
Triticum triunciale (L.) Raspail
Common Name:
General Information
Aegilops triuncialis is an annual grass producing one or more erect culms 15 - 45cm long.
The seed is sometimes harvested from the wild as an emergency food. The plant has potential for use in breeding programmes.
The plant has become a weed in many areas ourside of its native range and is listed as a noxious weed in arid and subarid areas of southwestern N. America. It has a high silica content, producing a persistent thatch on the soil that suppresses other seeds. It is late maturing and drought tolerant, enabling it to form monocultures in marginal environments[
1057- Title
- Jointed Goatgrass and Barb Goatgrass
- Publication
- Weed Control in Natural Areas in Western United States
- Author
- DiTomaso J.M.; Kyser G.B. Et al
- Publisher
- University of California
- Year
- 2013
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An article on Aegilops triuncialis and its impact as a weed
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Range
Mediterranean regions of Europe and N. Africa, through west and central Asia to Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Habitat
Dry acid grassland and stony habitats[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Argillaceous semi-deserts, dry hills and as a weed of cultivation[
74- Title
- Flora of the USSR.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Komarov. V. L.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Israel Program for Scientific Translation
- Year
- 1968
- ISBN
- -
- Description
- An immense (25 or more large volumes) and not yet completed translation of the Russian flora. Full of information on plant uses and habitats but heavy going for casual readers. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
| Weed Potential | Yes |
| Edibility Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Annual |
| Height | 0.30 m |
| Pollinators | Wind |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Requires a well drained soil in a sunny position and should be tolerant of clay since it favours clay soils in the wild. Established plants are drought tolerant[
1057- Title
- Jointed Goatgrass and Barb Goatgrass
- Publication
- Weed Control in Natural Areas in Western United States
- Author
- DiTomaso J.M.; Kyser G.B. Et al
- Publisher
- University of California
- Year
- 2013
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An article on Aegilops triuncialis and its impact as a weed
].
This species is believed to have hybridized with primitive forms of Triticum spp (Wheat) to produce some of the more modern Triticum spp. It could, therefore, be of value in wheat breeding programmes. It grows successfully at Kew, setting seed even in cool summers[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Edible Uses
Seed - small and fiddly[
177- Title
- Plants for Human Consumption.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Kunkel. G.
- Publisher
- Koeltz Scientific Books
- Year
- 1984
- ISBN
- 3874292169
- Description
- An excellent book for the dedicated. A comprehensive listing of Latin names with a brief list of edible parts.
]. An emergency food, used as a cereal in making bread etc.
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
This species is believed to have hybridized with primitive forms of Triticum spp (Wheat) to produce some of the more modern Triticum spp. It is able to hybridize with modern wheats and could, therefore, be of value in wheat breeding programmes.
Propagation
Seed - sow early to mid spring in situ and only just cover the seed. Make sure the soil does not dry out before the plants germinate. Seed can also be sown early early spring in a greenhouse and planted out in May.
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
