Barley

Barley is an annual cereal plant (Hordeum vulgare) of the GRASS family that is widely cultivated in all climates except those that are hot and humid. Barley was known to the ancients and was the chief bread grain in Europe as late as the 16th century. Today, each of the many varieties grown has a special purpose, e.g., for stock feed, for malting, as a minor source of flour, and in soups.