reed canary grass
(Phalaris arundinacea)
Conservation • Weed • Wetland • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Use • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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| IUCN Red List | LC - Least Concern |
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| NatureServe | N5 - Secure SNA - Not applicable |
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| Minnesota | not listed |
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Weed Status |
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Reed canary grass is listed as an invasive terrestrial plant by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. However, it is not currently regulated in Minnesota. |
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Wetland Indicator Status |
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| Great Plains | FACW - Facultative wetland |
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| Midwest | FACW - Facultative wetland |
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| Northcentral & Northeast | FACW - Facultative wetland |
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Description |
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Reed canary grass plant often appears in dense colonies that crowd out all other species. It often dominates wet areas. The blades are flat, ¼″ to ¾″ wide, and up to 20″ long. The ligule is a thin, papery membrane from just over ⅛″ to just over ⅜″ long. The margin is irregularly jagged, as if torn. The inflorescence is 2½″ to 7″ long, usually 3″ to 6″, and is borne high above the leaves. It is always evidently branched, at least near the base; the branches are short. When immature, it is compact and resembles a spike. When in full flower, it is open and green or slightly purple or reddish. Later, it turns tan to whitish in color and closes up, becoming narrow and pointed. |
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Height |
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24″ to 80″ |
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Similar Species |
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Orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata) has an inflorescence that is similar in appearance. However, the leaves are much narrower. The inflorescence is wider with a more blunt tip. Bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis) has a ring of hairs just below the nodes. |
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Habitat |
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Wet. Shallow marshes, river banks, roadside ditches; semi-open and open habitats. |
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Ecology |
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Flowering |
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May to August |
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Pests and Diseases |
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Use |
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Distribution |
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Sources |
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| 6/23/2022 | ||||
Nativity |
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Native |
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Occurrence |
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Very common |
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Taxonomy |
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| Kingdom | Plantae (green algae and land plants) | ||
| Subkingdom | Viridiplantae (green plants) | ||
| Infrakingdom | Streptophyta (land plants and green algae) | ||
| Superdivision | Embryophyta (land plants) | ||
| Division | Tracheophyta (vascular plants) | ||
| Subdivision | Spermatophytina (seed plants) | ||
| Class | Liliopsida (monocots) | ||
Order |
Poales (grasses, sedges, cattails, and allies) | ||
Family |
Poaceae (grasses) | ||
| No Rank | BOP clade | ||
| Subfamily | Pooideae | ||
| Supertribe | Poodae | ||
| Tribe | Poeae | ||
| Subtribe | Phalaridinae | ||
Genus |
Phalaris (canarygrasses) | ||
Synonyms |
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Phalaris arundinacea var. picta Phalaroides arundinacea Phalaroides arundinacea var. picta |
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Common Names |
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gardener’s garters reed canary grass reed Canarygrass ribbon grass variegated grass |
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Glossary
Ligule
In grasses, a membranous appendage at the junction of the leaf and the leaf sheath.
Visitor Photos |
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Greg Watson |
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Luciearl |
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This grows prolifically in my shoreline buffer. Hoping it's not invasive. |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Inflorescence |
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Spikelet |
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Collar |
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Ligule |
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Infructescence |
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Slideshows |
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Visitor Videos |
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Other Videos |
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| Matanuska River Park PalmerSWCD's channel |
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About
Uploaded on Jan 6, 2012 Initial Reed Canary Grass ID |
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| Environmental Laboratory - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Laboratory USACE |
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About
Published on Feb 15, 2013 Phalaris arundinacea - Reed Canarygrass |
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| Invasive Reed Canary Grass - Pennsylvania Forest Restoration Project Chuck Ray |
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About
Published on May 18, 2013 Penn State plant scientist Art Gover explains a project to re-establish a streamside forest in place of invasive species that have dominated the area. |
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