reed canarygrass: Phalaris arundinacea (Cyperales: Poaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States

reed canarygrass	USDA PLANTS Symbol: PHAR3 U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Aquatic Plants Grass or Grasslike
Phalaris arundinacea L.

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Taxonomic Rank: Liliopsida: Cyperales: Poaceae
Synonym(s): reed canary grass
Native Range: N. Amer. From New Bruns. To AK, south to OK, AZ, Eurasia ()
Appearance Phalaris arundinacea is a cool-season perennial grass that grows to 6 ft. (1.7 m) tall. Reed canarygrass is variable in morphology, so characteristics may depend upon the habitat. Foliage Leaf blades are flat, 1-4 ft. (0.3-1.2 m) long, up to 0.75 in. (1.9 cm) wide, glabrous and taper gradually. The ligule is membranous (transparent) and long. Flowers The spreading flower/seed heads arise from hairless stems and can be green, purple, or brown in color and usually 3-6 in. (7.6-15.2 cm) in length. Flowering occurs from May to July. Fruit The inflorescence color changes from green to purplish to tan as the seeds mature. There are both sterile and fertile lemmas. Ecological Threat Phalaris arundinacea can quickly dominate wetlands, ditches, prairie potholes, and other sites with moist soil. It can exclude all other vegetation and is extremely difficult to eradicate once established. Nativity of this plant is debated; it is native to Europe and possibly parts of Asia, but it may also be native to the northwestern United States. Aggressive behavior that is exhibited in many parts of the central and western United States may be a result of escaped cultivars that were bred for vigor and quick growth.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org

Plant(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Stem(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Stem(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org