Phalaris arundinacea L.
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Detail
- Family
- Poaceae
- Botanical Name
- Phalaris arundinacea L.
- Common Name
- Reed Canary Grass, Ribbon Grass
- Synonym(s)
- Flora of Virginia Name/Status
- Phalaris arundinacea L.
- Comments
- A large, clonal perennial, often forming dense colonies. This species can be highly invasive in wetlands such as fens and calcareous spring marshes, excluding almost all other species and becoming extremely difficult to eradicate. It nativity in our area is uncertain; according to Barkworth in FNA, North American populations may be a mix of native strains, European strains, and agronomic cultivars. Escaped cultivars that were bred for vigor and quick growth may be responsible for the aggressive behavior seen in many eastern U.S. populations.
- Habitat
- Fens, calcareous spring marshes, river shores, wet meadows, wet fields, and low roadsides. Frequent to locally abundant in the mountains and inner Piedmont; infrequent in the outer Piedmont; rare in the Coastal Plain.
- Native Status
- Not Specified
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