Vascular Plants of North Carolina
Account for Cultivated Rye - Secale cereale   L.
Members of Poaceae:
Only member of Secale in NC.
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Section 5 » Order Cyperales » Family Poaceae
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AuthorL.
DistributionThroughout most of the state; gaps will probably be filled over time.

Native to the Mediterranean region and western Asia. In N.A., established essentially throughout.
AbundanceApparently frequent as a waif/escape. Since it is planted for roadside stabilization and as a cereal crop, it is likely to turn up almost anywhere. However, it is unlikely that any populations have become truly established and self-reproducing.
HabitatRoadsides, fallow fields, trailsides, disturbed soils, etc.
PhenologyFlowering and fruiting May-July.
IdentificationRye generally resembles wheat (genus Triticum) or barley (genus Hordeum). Compare features using drawings in FNA or other grass manuals.
Taxonomic Comments
Other Common Name(s)
State RankSE
Global RankGNR
State Status
US Status
USACE-agcp
USACE-emp
County Map - click on a county to view source of record.
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B.A. SorrieSpontaneous from haybales used to control runoff from field, Whispering Pines, 8 May 2024. MoorePhoto_non_natural