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Similar but less problematic plants:
Ophiopogon japonicus Ophiopogon japonicus
Phalaris arundinacea is often confused with:
Liriope muscari 'Silvery Sunproof' leaf and flower
Native alternative(s) for Phalaris arundinacea:
Carex cherokeensis Spring form in bloom
Carex grayi Gray’s Sedge
Carex laxiculmis Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Lygodium microphyllum Form in FL
Phragmites australis Form showing height
Typha latifolia Form
Phalaris arundinacea has some other problems:
Invasive Plants and Your Forests

Phalaris arundinacea

Phonetic Spelling
FAL-ah-ris a-run-din-ay-SEE-uh
Description

Reed canarygrass is an invasive cool-season grass in the Poaceae (grass) family. There are native canarygrasses but this invasive one is native to Eurasia. Clumps form extensive single-species stands along the margins of lakes and streams and in wet open areas. They can reach heights of 6-9 feet and quickly crowd out native plants. They spread by rhizomes and seeds and are very difficult to eradicate once established.

The plant will grow in almost any soil type and pH range in full sun to part shade. The rough, flat leaves grow 1-4 feet long and panicles of flowers are produced in early summer followed by seedheads. In winter the clump collapses making walking through it difficult and doesn't provide cover for wildlife. Although it is often a wetland invader, it is able to tolerate drier environments due to the deep root system.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  It can spread aggressively.  See native alternatives in the left-hand column. Listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council and by many other states.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Feesey', 'Picta', 'Strawberries & Cream'
Tags:
#wetlands#high maintenance#standing water tolerant#fast growing#aggressive#clumping#wet soils tolerant#perennial#weed
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Feesey', 'Picta', 'Strawberries & Cream'
Tags:
#wetlands#high maintenance#standing water tolerant#fast growing#aggressive#clumping#wet soils tolerant#perennial#weed
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Phalaris
    Species:
    arundinaera
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eurasia
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Weed
    Habit/Form:
    Clumping
    Erect
    Open
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Cream/Tan
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
    Fruit Description:
    The inflorescence color changes from green to purplish to tan as the seeds mature. There are both sterile and fertile lemmas
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long-lasting
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Tight panicles of tiny flowers are greenish-white to pinkish fowers and appear in early summer
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Variegated
    White
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Leaf Type:
    Sheath
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Rough flat green leaves that gradually taper to the tip are 1-4 feet long and 3/4- 1 inch wide.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Smooth green stems are sometimes hollow
  • Landscape:
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Pollution
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Weedy