Cereal rye

Secale cereale is a hardy grass species that thrives in cold and nutrient-poor conditions. It is grown for grain, used as a cover crop to suppress weeds, and as forage for livestock. Its ability to grow in harsh environments makes it an important agricultural plant in regions with challenging climates. Rye is part of the wheat tribe, which includes other cereal crops such as wheat and barley. It is thought to have been introduced to Europe as a contaminant in wheat fields and was later cultivated on its own. The species is distributed across Greenland, Newfoundland, Canada, parts of Europe, and other regions.