Crithodium monococcum (Linnaeus) A. Löve; Nivieria monococcum (Linnaeus) Seringe; Triticum aestivum Linnaeus var. monococcum (Linnaeus) L. H. Bailey; T. sativum Lamarck var. monococcum (Linnaeus) Vilmorin; T. vulgare Villars var. bidens Alefeld.

Culms tufted, erect, 70–120 cm tall, 3- or 4-noded, pale pubescent at nodes. Leaf sheath margin ciliolate; leaf blade broadly linear, to 1 cm wide, scabrous, glabrous or adaxial surface shortly pubescent. Spike laterally compressed, 3–7 cm excluding awns, glabrous, rarely pubescent, apex with sterile spikelets; rachis compressed, easily disarticulating. Spikelets with 2 or 3 florets, usually basal floret fertile. Glumes lanceolate or subobovate, 6–8(–9) mm, slightly shorter than proximal florets, obscurely 7-veined, usually glabrous and lustrous, 2-keeled; 1 keel prominent, scabrous distally, prolonged at apex into triangular, acute tooth 0.75–1.5 mm; other keel less prominent, prolonged at apex into much smaller, subacute tooth. Lemma obscurely 9-veined; awn 5–10 cm. Palea usually longitudinally breaking at maturity. Caryopsis ca. 7 × 3 mm. Fl. and fr. Jun–Jul. 2n = 14.

It is not impossible that relict cultivation of Triticum monococcum occurs in China, but it is most unlikely and confirming records are needed.

Possibly cultivated in N China as a food plant, in experimental fields, or in fields mixed with other Triticum [cultivated or wild in N Africa, SW Asia, and C and SE Europe].