Which major food crops belong to the Poaceae grass family?

The Poaceae family, commonly known as the grass family, is the world’s most important source of food, providing more than 50 percent of the world’s calories. The most significant food crops within this family are the cereals, which are grasses cultivated for their starchy seeds.123

The major cereal crops include:

• Wheat: One of the oldest domesticated grains, widely used for flour and bakery products.32
• Rice: A staple food for more than half of the world’s population, particularly in Asia.32
• Corn (Maize): A highly adaptable crop used for human consumption, animal feed, and industrial products like corn oil and biofuel.32
• Sorghum: An important crop primarily used for animal feed and molasses production.32
• Barley: Used for animal feed and as a key source of malt for brewing.32
• Oats and Rye: Widely grown in temperate regions for feed and food products.32
• Millets: Various species, such as pearl and finger millet, serve as vital local food sources.32

Additionally, sugarcane is a major grass crop grown for sugar production, and young bamboo shoots are consumed as vegetables in many cultures.2