Scientific Name:
Phalaris arundinacea
Pronunciation:
FAL-uh-riss uh-run-dih-NAY-see-uh
Common Name:
reed canary grass, ribbon grass
Family Name:
Poaceae
Plant Type:
Invasive plant, Poales (grass-like)
Key ID Features:
Leaf blades mostly 20-30cm long x 12-21mm wide, flat and sharp-pointed with rough margins; sheath margins transparent; auricles absent; ligule tall rounded, toothed or torn, hairy on surface facing blade.
Habit:
Upright
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium - fine
Mature Height:
1.3 - 2.0m
Mature Spread:
> 25m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
Canada - central (Naturalized In BC)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 4: (-34 to -29 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Acidic, Bog, Humus rich
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Erosion control
Additional Info:
Google. Variegated cultivars that are less invasive include P. 'Picta' (ribbon grass), P. 'Feesey Form', and P. 'Dwarf Garters'.
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Grass-like
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Parallel venation
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Fall:
Brown
Shapes:
Linear
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Sheathing
Margins:
Serrulate
Additional Info:
Leaves rolled in the bud
Inflorescence Type:
Spikelet, Spike-like
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
0
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Yellow
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Additional Info:
Spikelets with many tightly clustered florets, closely alternating along a common axis.
Fruit Type:
Grain (caryopsis)
Fruit Colour:
Yellow, Brown
Fruiting Time:
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Bark or Stem Colour:
Green, Tan
Organ Modifications:
Rhizomes
Propagation:
Seed, Division - below ground parts
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant)
Course(s):
- HORT 1155
- Level 2 Apprenticeship
- CLT Training
Location(s):
- (FSC) Far South Campus
- (WDY) WeeDY location