Status:
valid
Authors:
L.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1753
Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl. : 84 (1753)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000898524
Common Names
- Secale cereale
- Rye
- Common rye
Description
Secale cereale (also called Common rye, among many other common names) is an annual cereal grass native to Central Asia. It has a spreading growth habit and grows to a height of about 1 m. It is found in open woodlands, savannas, and grasslands.
Uses & Benefits
Secale cereale is used as an ornamental plant for its attractive foliage and showy flowers. It is also used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and antioxidant properties.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Secale cereale is a small, greenish-yellow spike, with a single seed in each spikelet. The seed is small, dark brown, and has a hard, glossy surface. The seedling is a small, grass-like plant with thin, narrow leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Secale cereale is a perennial grass that is native to India and Sri Lanka. It grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soils. Propagation is by seed or division. Seeds should be sown in spring or early summer in a sunny location. Division should be done in spring or early summer. Plants should be spaced about 1 foot apart.
Where to Find Secale cereale
Secale cereale is native to the Mediterranean region, including Greece, Italy, and Spain.
Species in the Secale genus
Species in the Poaceae family
Achnatherum pekinense,
Achnatherum pubicalyx,
Achnatherum sibiricum,
Achnatherum turcomanicum,
Achnatherum brandisii,
Achnatherum bromoides,
Achnatherum calamagrostis,
Achnatherum confusum,
Achnatherum inebrians,
Achnatherum jacquemontii,
Achnatherum virescens,
Achnatherum paradoxum,
Achnatherum nakaii,
Achnatherum pelliotii,
Achnatherum haussknechtii,
Achnatherum mandavillei,
Achnatherum pilosum,
Achnatherum parviflorum,
Achnatherum staintonii,
Aciachne acicularis,
Aciachne flagellifera,
Aciachne pulvinata,
Acidosasa breviclavata,
Acidosasa brilletii,
Acidosasa chinensis,
Acidosasa edulis,
Acidosasa glauca,
Acidosasa guangxiensis,
Acidosasa lingchuanensis,
Acidosasa nanunica,
Acidosasa notata,
Acidosasa purpurea,
Acidosasa venusta,
Acidosasa carinata,
Acostia gracilis,
Acrachne henrardiana,
Acrachne perrieri,
Acrachne racemosa,
Acritochaete volkensii,
Acroceras amplectens,
Acroceras attenuatum,
Acroceras boivinii,
Acroceras bosseri,
Acroceras calcicola,
Acroceras chaseae,
Acroceras diffusum,
Acroceras elegans,
Acroceras excavatum,
Acroceras fluminense,
Acroceras gabunense,
References
POWO record for urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:421164-1: Govaerts R (ed.). 2023. WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants [Version 11]. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. [WWW document] URL http://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/ [accessed 20 April 2023].