Cereal Rye

(Secale cereale)

Cereal Rye (Secale cereale)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Secale cereale, commonly known as Cereal Rye, is an annual grass native to Turkey and the Caucasus, where it thrives in a variety of habitats including grasslands and cultivated fields. It is a versatile grass grown extensively as a grain, a cover crop, and a forage crop, valued for its ability to improve soil structure and suppress weeds. Cereal Rye typically reaches a height of about 120 cm (4 feet) and is characterized by its long, slender leaves and a spiky inflorescence that bears the grain. It is particularly noted for its hardiness and rapid growth, which can outcompete weeds.

Cereal Rye is prized for its adaptability to poor soil conditions, including heavy clay, light sandy, infertile, or drought-affected soils. It can tolerate a wide pH range but prefers soils with pH 5.0 to 7.0. Its ability to withstand cold temperatures and survive under snow cover makes it a valuable crop in colder regions. Rye is often used in crop rotation to enhance soil fertility and structure. In cultivation, it requires full sun and performs best with ample water and well-drained soils. While it is not typically grown for ornamental purposes, its quick growth and ability to suppress weeds make it a useful cover crop in agricultural settings. However, Secale cereale can be potentially invasive outside its native range, so caution is advised when planting it in areas like the United States where it may become a problem.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Grass
  • Height: 3-6 feet
  • Width: 0.15-0.3 feet
  • Growth Rate: Rapid
  • Flower Color: N/A
  • Flowering Season: Spring
  • Leaf Retention:

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Low Maintenance

Natural Habitat

native to Turkey and the Caucasus, where it thrives in a variety of habitats including grasslands and cultivated fields

Other Names

Common Names: Common Rye, Cultivated Rye, Rye, Spring Rye, Winter Rye, Cereal Grass, Cultivated Annual Rye, Saat-Roggen, Seigle, Seigle Commun

Scientific Names: , Secale cereale, Secale compositum, Triticum secale, Secale cereale subsp. tetraploidum, Secale cereale var. ancestrale, Secale ancestrale, Secale cereale subsp. ancestrale, Secale cereale var. triflorum, Triticum cereale

GBIF Accepted Name: Secale cereale L.