Abstract: The International Triticeae Symposia were initiated to encourage scientists working on different aspects of the Triticeae1 to share information and examine the distant relatives of its cereal species. There have now been seven symposia, each in a different country. The scope of these symposia is briefly reviewed. The merits of the symposium series are identified as their interdisciplinary nature and small size.

Key words: history, Hordeeae, Triticeae, Triticeae Symposia.