Dutilly’s Barley: A Rare Canadian Grass Worth Knowing About
Meet Dutilly’s barley (×Elyhordeum dutillyanum), one of Canada’s most mysterious native grasses. This perennial graminoid might not be a household name in gardening circles, and there’s a good reason for that – it’s incredibly rare and quite the botanical puzzle.
What Makes Dutilly’s Barley Special?
The × symbol in front of this plant’s scientific name tells us something fascinating: Dutilly’s barley is actually a natural hybrid between two different grass genera, Elymus and Hordeum. Think of it as nature’s own plant experiment, combining traits from both parent species to create something entirely unique.
As a perennial grass, this plant comes back year after year, which would normally make it an excellent choice for low-maintenance landscaping. However, its story is much more complicated than your typical lawn grass.
Where Does It Come From?
Dutilly’s barley is native to Canada, specifically documented in Quebec. This makes it a true northern specialist, adapted to the unique growing conditions of eastern Canada’s climate and soil.
Should You Plant Dutilly’s Barley?
Here’s where things get tricky. While we’d love to give you detailed growing instructions for this native Canadian grass, the reality is that Dutilly’s barley is so rare that specific information about its cultivation, growing requirements, and garden performance simply isn’t available in standard horticultural sources.
This rarity raises some important considerations:
- Seeds or plants may not be commercially available
- Growing requirements are largely unknown
- Its natural habitat preferences haven’t been well documented
- As a hybrid, it may not reproduce reliably from seed
Better Alternatives for Your Garden
If you’re interested in incorporating native Canadian grasses into your landscape, consider these well-documented alternatives that offer similar ecological benefits:
- Canada wild rye (Elymus canadensis) – One of the parent genera, widely available and well-suited to cultivation
- Little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) – Beautiful native prairie grass with excellent garden performance
- Buffalo grass (Poaceae family natives) – Various species depending on your specific region
The Bottom Line
While Dutilly’s barley represents an interesting piece of Canada’s botanical heritage, it’s not practical for most home gardeners. Its rarity and lack of cultivation information make it more of a scientific curiosity than a garden plant.
If you’re passionate about native plant conservation and have extensive experience with rare species, you might consider contacting botanical institutions or native plant societies in Quebec to learn more about conservation efforts for this unique grass.
For the rest of us, focusing on well-documented native grasses that are readily available and proven in garden settings will give us the best chance of success while still supporting local ecosystems and wildlife.
