Definition

Noun: 1. A type of barley cultivated primarily for its decorative seed heads: This term refers to a variety of barley (Hordeum vulgare or related species) grown not for grain but for its visually striking flower spikes. These spikes are characterized by long, soft, and silky bristles (awns) that resemble a squirrel's tail, making the plant valuable for ornamental purposes and dried floral arrangements. It is native to or cultivated in regions including North America and northeastern Asia.

Usage Examples

• The gardener planted squirreltail barley along the border to add texture and movement to the winter landscape.
• For the craft project, we used dried squirreltail barley to create natural, feathery accents in the wreath.
• This variety, known as squirreltail barley, is prized more for its ornamental awns than for its grain yield.

Advanced Usage

• In botanical or horticultural contexts: The term is used to specify the ornamental cultivar or growth form of barley, distinguishing it from agricultural barley grown for fodder or malt.
  • The study compared the drought tolerance of agricultural barley varieties with that of ornamental squirreltail barley.

Variants and Related Words

• Squirreltail (noun): Often used as a shorter, common name for the same plant, focusing on the tail-like appearance of the seed head.
• Foxtail barley (noun): A related common name for , a similar species also known for its long, bushy awns, sometimes used interchangeably or confused with squirreltail barley.
• Hordeum jubatum (noun): The scientific name for a common wild species often referred to as squirreltail or foxtail barley.

Synonyms

• Ornamental barley (noun): A general descriptive term for barley varieties grown for decorative purposes.
• Wild barley (noun, in some contexts): Can refer to uncultivated species like , which share the characteristic long-awned, squirreltail-like appearance.

Related Phrases

• Squirreltail grass: A related phrase sometimes used for grasses with similar fluffy, tail-like seed heads, though "barley" specifies the genus .

Noun

1. barley grown for its highly ornamental flower heads with delicate long silky awns; North America and northeastern Asia