Reed canarygrass, canary grass, ribbon grass, gardener’s garters, speargrass, Phalaroides arundinacea (L.), Typhoides arundinacea, Phalaroides arundinacea spp. japonica (Steud.) Tzvelv, Phalaroides arundinacea var. picta (L.) Tzvelev

Its native range has been hard to decipher until recently when DNA samples confirmed the presence of distinct populations present in North America that are not present in Europe or Asia (Jakubowski et al. 2013). Jakubowski et al. (2013) solidified Phalaris arundinacea as a native to North America from Alaska through New Brunswick, Canada.

Invasive populations are composed of either nonnative strains or hybrids between nonnative and native strains (Dore and McNeill 1980, Maurer and Zedler 2002, Merigliano and Peter 1998, Reuter 1986, Swink 1974). Ontario researchers observe both noninvasive and invasive populations of reed canarygrass along the shore of the northern Great Lakes, upper Ottawa river, and upper French river as well as in anthropogenically altered landscapes (Dore and McNeill 1980).

Reed canarygrass spreads quickly by rhizomes (Hitchcock 1951) which originate below ground. They begin growing in early spring (April) and decline in mid-August (Hutchinson 1992). Large quantities of pollen are produced for wind pollination (Merigliano and Lesica 1998) and flowering increases throughout the season and with longer daylight hours. Seed dispersal is passive and does form a soil seed bank (Preuninger and Umbanhower 1994); seeds remain viable in the soil for more than one year (Leck 1996).

Summary of species impacts derived from literature review. Click on an icon to find out more...

Environmental	Socioeconomic

Invasion of European strains has had significant impact on native P. arundinaceae strains - it is unlikely that any purely native strains remain in the U.S. (Wisconsin Reed Canary Grass Management Working Group, 2009).
Reed canary grass is a superior competitor for nutrients and light with native species (Kercher 2007, Lavergne and Molofsky 2004), displacing rare and native plants (Peter 1997) including Verbena hastata (Rachich and Reader 1999) and Carex lacustris (Budelsky and Galatowitsch 2000).  It can also outcompete other invasive species such as purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) (MN Dept. of Ag 2017).  Throughout its invasive range, Reed canary grass can dominate from 50 to 100% of the invaded habitats, as demonstrated by floristic surveys conducted in Minnesota, Washington, Quebec, and Wisconsin, respectively (Galatowitsch et al., 2000; Tanner et al., 2002; Lavoie et al., 2003; Mulhouse and Galatowitsch, 2003).

Richness and abundance of arthropods generally declines in areas invaded by Reed canary grass (Hansen and Castelle 1999, Beaulieu and Wheeler 2002, Miller et al 2008, Spyreas et al 2010). This can then cause bottom up effects in the food web (Miller et al. 2008).

Silt deposits, emergent stems, and leaves of reed canarygrass reduce the volume of water that a channel can carry and impede water flow (Comes et al. 1981). Phalaris arundinacea prevents forest regeneration and establishes thick monocultures in wetlands where it establishes, reducing perceived aesthetics and natural value where it occurs. Carbon and nitrogen sequestration are lower in monospecific reed canarygrass stands than in diverse native wet prairie communities (Herr-Turoff and Zedler 2005).

Phalaris arundinacea has a moderate socio-economic impact in the Great Lakes outside its native range.
This species can cause problems with hydrology by choking out water drainage (MN Dept of Ag 2017) and otherwise impede water flow (Comes et al 1981). Tall or dense stands may impede recreational navigation or interfere with sight-lines. Pollen from dense stands can inflare allergies and asthma for human health (RubyDuke Communications 2023.  Like many invasive grasses, P. arundinaceae can increase fire frequency (D’Antonio and Vitousek, 1992; Cabin et al., 2000; D’Antonio and Vitousek, 2001).

Phalaris arundinacea has a high benefit in the Great Lakes outside its native range.
Reed canary grass is commercially cultivated and planted for hay (Hitchcock 1950, MN Dept. of Ag 2017), pasture (Lavergne & Lolofsky 2004), erosion control (Kim et al. 2006), bioenergy (Lavergne & Molofsky, 2004, Wrobel et al 2009, Smith and Slater 2010, Ustak at al 2019), wastewater treatment (Geber 2002), pulp paper (Hellqvist et al., 2003; Finell et al., 2002; Papatheofanous et al., 1995; Saijonkari-Pahkala, 2001, Lavergne & Molofsky, 2004) and buffer strips (MN Dept. of Ag 2017).  Seed exports and prices fluctuate but MN Dept of Ag reported a value exceeding $1.6 million for 2016.  Reed canary grass is an advantageous crop for farmers because it can be grown on land that is too wet for good performance of other forage plants and because it is low maintenance (Zedler & Kercher, 2004).  Phalaris arundinacea is the highest yield cool-season grass currently in cultivation when fertilized (Undersander et al. 1996). P. arundinacea has been explored for use in phytoremediation of PAHs nickel and other contaminants (Lavergne & Molofsky, 2004, Wloka et al 2019, Korzeniowska & Stanislawska-Glubiak 2019).

Wisconsin restricts this species’ use (NR 40); here it cannot be possessed, transported, transferred, or introduced without a permit. Wisconsin specifically restricts Phalaris arundinacea var. picta and other ornamental variegated varieties and cultivars but does not include the parent type- reed canary grass. This makes a distinction between the native and invasive Phalaris arundinacea with the native variety being unregulated.

Illlinois does not list Phalaris arundinacea on its “Aquatic Life Approved Species List” since some populations are native to Illinois. However, Illinois DNR does find this species needs to be restricted and finds it inappropriate for import, possession, or culture since it is an invasive species (Illinois DNR, pers. communication). Phalaris arundinacea is not listed in the Illinois Noxious Weed Act or the Illinois Exotic Weed act. However, it is managed across the state in natural areas and at restoration sites (Illinois DNR, pers. communication).

Other Great Lakes states monitor reed canarygrass and consider it an “invasive species” but do not have legislative restrictions on its movement. These include: Minnesota, Indiana, and Ohio. Currently, the Indiana Division of Entomology and Plant Pathology, which regulates plants in Indiana, is reviewing Phalaris arundinacea to consider restricting its transportation.

Phalaris arundinacea is not regulated federally in Canada or provincially in Ontario but is considered an invasive species (Anderson 2012).

Note: Check federal, state/provincial, and local regulations for the most up-to-date information.

Control
Due to its ambiguous native status, management decisions to control populations of Phalaris arundinacea are dependent on the impact that it has in a given area (Waggy 2010).

Biological
Live willow stakes have been shown to reduce reed canarygrass growth if planted at appropriate densities (Kim et al. 2006).

Physical
Reed canarygrass grows back rapidly following manual removal with heavy equipment from rhizomes and seeds that remain in the soil (Apfelbaum and Sams n.d). Fire can control spread and keep from Phalaris arundinacea infestating wetlands but needs to be performed annually for five to six years before fully controlled (Lavergne and Molofsky 2006).

Chemical
Exposure to 300ppm of boron causes complete tissue necrosis within three weeks once applied to reed canarygrass roots (Apfelbaum and Sams 1987).

Amitrol (4.5kg/ha plus ammonium thiocyanate at 4.1kg/ha) can reduce three week old seedlings by 94% but is not effective for seedlings older than three weeks (Comes et al. 1981). Glyphosate (1.1 kg/ha) has been shown to control five to ten week old seedlings (Comes et al. 1981). Dalapon and Amitrol-T when used together have controlled canarygrass in Montana for up to five years. Chemicals were most effective when used at flowering time (Apfelbaum and Sams 1987). Newbold (1975) found Dalapon and Paraquat, separate and mixed together, provided an effective “kill for one year”.

Herbicide treatments of imazapyr (Bahm et al. 2014) and sethoxydim (Annen et al. 2005) have proven to be effective at controlling reed canarygrass. Sethoxydim is a selective herbicide that kills most annual and perennial grasses (Annen et al. 2005).

Other
Combination of chemical and physical removal methods need to be repeated for effective control and to prevent re-infestation (Kilbride and Paveglio 1999). Disking followed with chemical Rodeo application the following growing season had similar control compared to the most efficient treatments (Kilbride and Paveglio 1999). Control of reed canarygrass is most effective when employed as a long-term ecosystem-wide strategy approach (Waggy 2010).