Triticum (tritikum)

[NL. (Tournefort, 1700), includes the cultivated or varieties of wheat, diffused widely through all temperate regions, and from 10 to 15 species in the wild state, natives of the Mediterranean region and of western Asia. They are annual or biennial erect flat-leafed gra es, with a terminal elongated or cylindrical spike, its axis usually without joints, but flexuous with alternate excavations, into which the spike lets are set. For the polymorphous cultivated species T. sativum ( T. vulgare ), spelt1, leghorn, mummy wheat, and cut under Monocotyledones; and compare amel corn and Egilops, 2. For T. (now Agropyrum ) repens, see quitch - gra .