Reed Canarygrass

Phalaris arundinacea

Plant Description

Tall perennial grass with rounded stems and papery membrane at base of leaves, reddish coloring near the top of stem; wide leaf blades are hairless; can have compact or open spikes. Creates dense rhizomatous mats and mounds of dead stems that inhibit re-growth of native species.

Plant Details

Life Forms	Grass or Grass-like
Habitats	Ditches Gardens Little Habitats Pastures Residential yards Rights of way Riparian areas Rivers Streams Wet prairies Wetlands
ODA Listing	not listed
Soil and Moisture Conditions	All soil types Moist Nutrient rich soil
Suggested Actions	Use BMPs to control on private property
Shade Preference	Full sun Part shade
Mature Height	3-6'
Distribution	Reed Canarygrass is found throught most of North America.
Control	Reed Canarygrass is very widespread and very difficult to successfully remove. One option is to cover the area with shade cloth or sheet mulch thickly. Leave the cover in place for at least two growing seasons
Reproduction and Spread	Spreads by rhizomes, fragments, and seeds.
Introduced	Introduced to Oregon in 1918 for pasture and erosion control.
Look Alikes	Harding grass
Impact	Highly invasive, can form a monoculture and exclude all other native plants.
More Info	https://your.kingcounty.gov/dnrp/library/water-and-land/weeds/BMPs/Reed-Canarygrass-Control.pdf https://kingcounty.gov/services/environment/animals-and-plants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/reed-canarygrass.aspx https://www.invasive.org/gist/moredocs/phaaru01.pdf https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs144p2_035064.pdf https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/2022-09/Reed%20Canary%20Grass%20Management%20Guide_0.pdf