''Secale montanum'', wild perennial rye, is a species in the rye genus '' Secale '' native to the Mediterranean, the Middle East, the

Caucasus region The Caucasus () or Caucasia (), is a region spanning Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea, comprising parts of Southern Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. The Caucasus Mountains, incl ...

, and eastwards through Iran to Pakistan. It is a short-lived, self-fertile perennial. It is thought to be the ultimate parent of domesticated

rye Rye (''Secale cereale'') is a grass grown extensively as a grain, a cover crop and a forage crop. It is grown principally in an area from Eastern and Northern Europe into Russia. It is much more tolerant of cold weather and poor soil than o ...

(''Secale cereale''), and crosses with ''S. cereale'' have had some success in creating fodder cultivars. Some authorities consider the synonym ''Secale strictum'' C.Presl. to have priority.

References

{{Taxonbar, from1=Q11838679, from2=Q12219432 Pooideae Plants described in 1825 Taxa named by Giovanni Gussone Grasses of Lebanon