Flowers in barley are controlled by a gene called HvLFY, which helps in making sure the flowers have the right number of parts. A mutation in HvLFY leads to abnormal flowers with too many seed-producing parts called carpels. This mutation affects how HvLFY interacts with other genes involved in flower development. By studying this mutation, scientists can learn more about how barley flowers are formed and how this gene works in other cereal plants.