Phalaris canariensis
Phalaris aquatica
alpiste des canaries, annual canarygrass, Canary grass, common Canary grass, phalaris des canaries
bulbous Canary-grass, Harding grass
30-100 cm.
60-200 cm, often swollen at the base, rooting at the lower nodes.
1.5-5 cm long, 1.5-2 cm wide, ovoid to oblong-ovoid, continuous, not lobed, truncate at the base;
branches not evident, spikelets borne singly, not clustered.
1.5-15 cm long, 1-2.5 cm wide, usually cylindric, sometimes ovoid, occasionally lobed at the base, spikelets borne singly, not clustered;
branches not evident.
homogamous, with 3 florets, terminal floret bisexual;
disarticulation above the glumes, beneath the sterile florets.
homogamous, with 2-3(5) florets, usually with 1 bisexual floret, occasionally with 2, occasionally the terminal floret viviparous;
disarticulation above the glumes, beneath the sterile florets.
7-10 mm long, 2-2.5 mm wide, smooth, mostly glabrous, sometimes sparsely pilose between the veins, keels winged, wings to 0.6 mm, widening distally, lateral veins inconspicuous, smooth, apices rounded to acute, sometimes mucronate;
sterile florets 2, equal or subequal, 2-4.5 mm, 1/3 or more the length of the bisexual florets, lanceolate, sparsely hairy, acute;
bisexual florets 4.5-6.8 mm, ovate, densely hairy, shiny, stramineous to gray-brown;
anthers 2-4 mm.
4.4-7.5 mm long, 1.2-1.5 mm wide, keels winged distally, wings 0.2-0.4 mm wide, usually entire, lateral veins conspicuous, smooth;
sterile florets usually 1, hairy, if 2, lowest floret to 0.7 mm, upper or only sterile floret 1-3 mm;
bisexual florets 3.1-4.6 mm long, 1.2-1.5 mm wide, hairy, stramineous, acute;
anthers 3-3.6 mm.
3-6 mm, rounded to obtuse, lacerate;
blades 3-25 cm long, 2-10 mm wide.
2-12 mm, truncate, lacerate;
blades 5-15(20) cm long, 0.5-10 mm wide.
= 12.
= 28.
Phalaris canariensis
Phalaris aquatica
Phalaris canariensis is native to southern Europe and the Canary Islands, but is now widespread in the rest of the world, frequently being grown for birdseed. The exposed ends of the glumes are almost semicircular in outline, making this one of our easier species of Phalaris to identify.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
A native of the Mediterranean region, Phalaris aquatica now grows in many parts of the world, frequently having been introduced because of its forage value. Even where it is native, it usually grows in disturbed areas, often those subject to seasonal flooding. It is now established in western North America, being most common along the coast, and as an invasive in disturbed wet prairies with clay soils.
Phalaris aquatica can hybridize with other species of Phalaris. The stabilized polyploid hybrid with P. minor, P. xdaviesii S.T. Blake, is cultivated as a forage grass in Australia, Africa, and South America. The hybrid with P. arundinacea, P. xmonspeliensis Daveau, is also a good forage grass. The name 'Toowoomba Canary-grass' has been applied to P. xmonspeliensis in North America, but Ross (1989) stated that it should be applied to P. aquatica. Using 'Bulbous Canarygrass' as the English-language name for P. aquatica avoids confusion, at least in the Flora region. In addition, it is descriptive, and is the name used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for P. aquatica.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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