Plants summer or winter annuals. Leaves 1.5-8 mm wide, usually flat. Lateral spikelets: lower glumes winged on the side towards the central spikelets, wings 0.5-2.3 mm wide. 2n = 14.

Hordeum marinum subsp. marinum is native to Eurasia, where it grows in disturbed habitats. Although it has been reported occasionally from the Flora region, it has not become established.

POST PUBLICATION AMENDMENT

Jakob at el al. 2007 recommend treating the two subspecies of Hordeum marinum as species. Following that recommendation, Hordeum marinum subsp. marinum should be called Hordeum marinum.