Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Poaceae

Genus:

Phalaris

Species:

Phalaris caroliniana

USDA Symbol:

PHCA6

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:

Annual

Growth Habit:

Graminoid

Height:

120 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

Low

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun

Bloom Colors:

green

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

birds, small mammals

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts from base following fire; responds positively to prescribed burns in prairie and wetland margins.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

moist, fertile, alluvial soil

pH:

5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)

Drainage:

tolerates poor drainage

Moisture:

consistently moist

Notes:

commonly found in wetland areas

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Cool-season annual grass; seeds germinate readily in fall or early spring with adequate moisture.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI