Einkorn Wheat

It is not impossible that relict cultivation of Triticum monococcum occurs in China, but it is most unlikely and confirming records are needed.

Culms tufted, erect, 70–120 cm tall, 3- or 4-noded, pale pubescent at nodes. Leaf sheath margin ciliolate; leaf blade broadly linear, to 1 cm wide, scabrous, glabrous or adaxial surface shortly pubescent. Spike laterally compressed, 3–7 cm excluding awns, glabrous, rarely pubescent, apex with sterile spikelets; rachis compressed, easily disarticulating. Spikelets with 2 or 3 florets, usually basal floret fertile. Glumes lanceolate or subobovate, 6–8(–9) mm, slightly shorter than proximal florets, obscurely 7-veined, usually glabrous and lustrous, 2-keeled; 1 keel prominent, scabrous distally, prolonged at apex into triangular, acute tooth 0.75–1.5 mm; other keel less prominent, prolonged at apex into much smaller, subacute tooth. Lemma obscurely 9-veined; awn 5–10 cm. Palea usually longitudinally breaking at maturity. Caryopsis ca. 7 × 3 mm. Fl. and fr. Jun–Jul. 2n = 14.

Possibly cultivated in N China as a food plant, in experimental fields, or in fields mixed with other Triticum [cultivated or wild in N Africa, SW Asia, and C and SE Europe].

Crithodium monococcum (Linnaeus) A. Löve; Nivieria monococcum (Linnaeus) Seringe; Triticum aestivum Linnaeus var. monococcum (Linnaeus) L. H. Bailey; T. sativum Lamarck var. monococcum (Linnaeus) Vilmorin; T. vulgare Villars var. bidens Alefeld.