Phalaris arundinacea

reed canary grass
Photo Credit: 
M. Costea and K. Stevens
source: CUPIC

A robust grass of wet areas. Considered a circumboreal native, but with different genotypes (North American likely a mix of native, European, and agricultural cultivars per Flora North America - link to right). According to the NY Flora Atlas (link to right) there probably was a native genotype of this species, but it is either gone or nearly gone. The populations that are common in NY State are the non-native genotype. It can form large, dense populations that exclude native flora.

Plant Information

Common Name(s): 
reed canary grass
Type: 
Non-Native
Grasses, Sedges, Rushes
Native Region: 
western North America
East US
Eurasia
Invasive Level: 
Level 2
Moisture: 
Wet
Light: 
Sun
Part Sun

Plant finder

After you start typing part of a plant scientific or common name, wait a few seconds and a clickable list will appear.
Advanced Search