Phalaris canariensis/NJ

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Superorder	Lilianae
Order	Poales
Family	Poaceae
Subfamily	Pooideae
Tribe	Poeae
Genus	Phalaris

Scientific Name

Phalaris canariensis

Common Name

canarygrass

Common Name: annual canary grass
Family Name: Poaceae - True grass family
Native Range: Europe
NJ Status: Emerging Stage 2 – Uncommon (may be regionally common or abundant). It is highly threatening to native communities.

General Description

• Annual grass to 2’ - 6.5’ tall
• Stem round, hairless
• Lacking a strong, rhizomatous root system
• Ligule (papery sheath at the base of leaf) 0.25” long, round at apex
• Formerly grown for birdseed

Leaves

• Alternate, 3.5” - 10” long, 0.25” - 0.75” wide
• Coarsely textured
• Gradually tapering
• Bluish-green

Flowers

• Flowers oval, 0.5” - 1.5” long
• Green or purplish, turning tan as seed matures
• Blooms July-August

Fruit

• Shiny, yellow to brown at maturity

Habitat

• Meadows, cultivated soils, roadsides
• Prefers dry ground

Commercially Available

No

Look-alikes

reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea)

• Perennial grass with extensive rhizomes (difficult to pull)
• A native species, but improved cultivars are considered invasive
• Blooms June-early July
• Invades moist to wet meadows, marshes, riparian areas and roadsides
• Flowers longer and slimmer, 2.75” - 10” long

Control Recommendations

Foliar Spray: FS-2

• Glyphosate 3.00%
• Seek aquatic application permit and use wetlands-appropriate herbicides and surfactants
• Please see our Herbicide Use Suggestions and Mixing Guide for more information.