Hordeum vulgare subsp. distichon (L.) Körn.

Tufts 35–100 cm. Culm 30–90 cm. Racemes 4.5–12 × 0.6–1.5–(2.5) cm, dense-flowered, distichous, with 2 rows of sessile ☿ spikelets, each spikelet flanked by 2 Ø lateral spikelets in which the florets are shortly pedicelled. Lemma of lateral spikelets 5.5–8 mm, elliptic or linear-oblong, obtuse, abaxially smooth, adaxially with a few long, soft hairs along the central nerve, awnless. Rachilla prolongation 2 mm, glabrous. Lemma of central spikelets 8–12.5 mm; awn 10–17 cm. Rachilla prolongation 4 mm, long hairy. Caryopsis 8–11.5 × 2–3 mm.

[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]