Wheat

Wheat harvest

Description

A cereal grass (genus Triticum) that has been cultivated for food since prehistoric times. Wheat is grown worldwide in temperate regions. The tall stalks (about 1 m) have heads of grain that are primarily ground into Flour for pasta, and bread. Wheat grain is also used for making Starch, Alcohol (beer), and feeding livestock. It contains carbohydrates (70%), and proteins (11-15%) with smaller amounts of minerals and vitamins. The wheat stalks, or Straw, are used for fodder, papermaking, and bedding.

Bundle of wheat

Synonyms and Related Terms

wheat straw

Other Properties

For paper fiber characteristics see Straw.

Additional Images

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  Wheat grain

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  Wheat straw

Authority

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998

• Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.britannica.com Comment: "wheat." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2004. Encyclopædia Britannica Premium Service. 26 Oct. 2004 .