Reed Canarygrass
Phalaris arundinacea
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, Føroyar, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kirgizstan, Korea, Krym, Kuril Is., Lebanon-Syria, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Prince Edward I., Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Sardegna, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Ukraine, United States, Uzbekistan, Vietnam
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Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Phalaris
- Species:
- Phalaris arundinacea
- USDA Symbol:
- PHAR3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- green
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Burdock Borer (Papaipema cataphracta), Xylomoia chagnoni, Chryxus Arctic (Oeneis chryxus), Northern Pearly-Eye (Enodia anthedon)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- waterfowl, songbirds, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes after fire; fire may temporarily reduce dominance but does not eliminate stands.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, moisture-retentive loam
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Commonly found in wetlands and along riverbanks
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 14–30 days
- Germination Time:
- 10–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily with light and moist conditions; cold stratification improves germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Single-step cold-moist stratification for temperate woodland species. for 60–120 days
Source: Claude AI