Wall barley is a type of plant commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. Its scientific name is Hordeum murinum, and its spelling may seem unusual to English speakers. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /wɔl ˈbɑrli/, which indicates that the first syllable has the same vowel sound as "all" and the second syllable has the same sound as "barley." The spelling reflects the origin of the word in Latin (hordeum) and French (mure), which are combined to form the name of the plant.
Wall barley (Hordeum murinum) is a wild grass native to Europe and North Africa. Also commonly referred to as mouse barley, it belongs to the family Poaceae. The plant gets its name due to its ability to grow in walls, crevices, and other disturbed habitats.
Wall barley typically reaches heights of 10-60 centimeters and forms dense tufts or clumps. It has slender and erect stems, which are green or slightly purplish in color, and bear leaves that appear as flat or involute blades. The blade edges, sheaths, and nodes are often covered in hairs. The inflorescence consists of spike-like heads known as spikes, which are composed of densely packed paired spikelets. Each spikelet contains two florets, usually with long, bristle-like awns.
This versatile grass is an annual or sometimes a short-lived perennial. It demonstrates excellent adaptability to various soil types and growing conditions. Wall barley can thrive in areas with poor soil fertility, including disturbed habitats such as roadsides, wastelands, and agricultural fields. It is considered a common weed in parts of Europe and North Africa, although it does not pose significant or detrimental effects to crops.
Wall barley has been used historically for its medicinal properties. It was employed as a diuretic and treatment for various urinary disorders. Its nutritional value is limited, but the seeds have occasionally been used as a grain substitute in times of scarcity. Overall, wall barley is a resilient grass that has managed to colonize a wide range of habitats despite its limited economic significance.
The word "wall barley" is derived from the combination of two elements: "wall" and "barley".
The term "wall" refers to a structure typically made of brick, stone, or concrete that is used to enclose or divide an area. It comes from the Old English word "weall" and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "walaz".
"Barley" refers to a cereal grain cultivated for its edible seeds. It comes from the Old English word "bærlic", which can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "bariz". This, in turn, can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "bʰeh₂ros" meaning "barley".
Therefore, "wall barley" is likely a descriptive term, possibly referring to the presence of barley plants growing near a wall or in a walled enclosure.