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Barley is a member of the grass family (Poaceae) and has been cultivated for around 10,000 years, with its wild relatives still found in Western Asia and Northeast Africa. The caryopses (dried fruits) of barley are characterized by long awns, giving the spikes a "furry" appearance. Barley can be processed into groats and has historically been used as a coffee substitute. It can also be ground into flour or used as animal feed. Malt, a key ingredient in beer brewing, is produced by germinating and then drying the grains. ## Keywords vascular plants angiosperms monocots Poales Poaceae barley