Figure 2.

Domesticated vs. wild wheat. The primary distinction between wild and domesticated wheats is based on spikelet morphology. In wild wheats, spikelets act as dispersal units, disarticulating upon maturity, and leaving a smooth scar on the rachis segment (right). In domesticated wheats, spikelets are released only upon threshing; detachment of spikelets from the spike leaves a rough scar on the rachis fragment (left). Unlike wild wheats, domesticated wheats rely on humans for dispersal and seeding.