Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.)
DESCRIPTION
This large, coarse grass has erect, hairless stems, usually
from 2 to 6 feet (0.6-1.8 meters) tall. The ligule is prominent and membranous,
one-quarter inch (0.6 cm) long and rounded at the apex. The gradually tapering
leaf blades are three and one-half inches to two inches (8.9-25.4 cm) long,
One-quarter to three quarter inch (0.6-1.9 cm) wide, flat, and often rough
on both surfaces. The compact panicles are erect or sometimes slightly
spreading and range from 3-16 inches (7.6-40.6 cm) long with branches one-half
to one and one-half inches (1.2-3.8 cm) long. Single flowers occur in dense
clusters in May to mid-June or August. Inflorescences are green or slightly
purple at first, then become tan. Seeds are shiny brown.
The species growth form is highly variable, sometimes reclining at the base and rooting at the nodes. The amount of shading may also affect growth form. A Eurasian ecotype that is difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish from the native ecotype has also been introduced widely for forage and hay.
SIMILAR SPECIES
Reed canary grass closely resembles orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata). It differs from orchard grass in that reed canary grass's leaves are much wider, the inflorescence is more narrow and pointed, and the individual flowers have a different shape. The glumes and lemmas (scales that are part of the spikelet) of orchard grass are hairy, while those of reed canary grass lack hairs. Reed canary grass should be accurately identified before attempting any control measures. If identification of the species is in doubt, the plant's identity should be confirmed by a knowledgeable individual and/or by consulting appropriate books.
DISTRIBUTION
This grass is found throughout the world except Antarctica and Greenland. The Mediterranean region is the center of diversity of the genus. It is native to lowland areas of northwestern Missouri and has escaped from cultivation in other regions.
HABITAT
This species occurs in wetlands, including marshes, wet prairies, wet meadows, fens, stream banks, and swales. It has been planted widely for forage and for erosion control.
LIFE HISTORY
Reed canary grass is a coarse, sod-forming, cool-season, perennial grass. It is native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and N. America, and is adapted to much of the northern half of U.S. It occurs from wet to dry habitats with best growth on fertile and moist or wet soils (shores, swales, meadows). Reproduction is from seed and vegetatively by stout, creeping rhizomes. It begins growth in early spring, growing vertically 5-7 weeks after germination, and then expands laterally. Growth peaks in mid-June and declines in mid-August. Vegetative vigor is related to maximum root and shoot production. Seeds ripen in late June and shatter when ripe. The native reed canary grass is not thought to be as aggressive as is the Eurasian ecotype.
EFFECTS UPON NATURAL AREAS
It is a major threat to marshes and natural wetlands because of its hardiness, aggressive nature, and rapid growth. Native wetland and wet prairie species are replaced after several years of reed canary grass presence. It is of particular concern because of the difficulty of selective control.
Control Recommendations
Recommended Practices in Natural Communities of High Quality
Fire can help control the spread of reed canary grass and keep it out of high quality wetlands. Repeated late autumn or late spring burning for several years can control this species. Annual burning may be needed for 5-6 years before good control is apparent. Burning is most effective where other species are present or in the seed bank, since fire allows native, fire-adapted species to compete successfully. Fire is not very effective in dense monocultures of this grass where seeds or plants of native species are absent.
The native reed canary grass should not be totally eliminated, but no reliable method for telling the difference between the forms is known. Control measures should be implemented when reed canary grass degrades the natural quality or diversity of a community.
RECOMMENDED PRACTICES ON LANDS OTHER THAN HIGH-QUALITY NATURAL AREAS
Prescribed fire as described above should be used in areas that will burn. Hand removal for control may be feasible in small stands. There is evidence that hand chopping the culms at flowering time may kill small clones. Certain herbicides are effective where there is no real concern for damage to surrounding native species. Rodeo, a formulation of glyphosate designed for use in wetlands, will kill reed canary grass, especially young plants, when applied to foliage according to label recommendations. Rodeo should be applied in early spring when reed canary grass is green and most native wetland species are still dormant. The area should be checked after spraying, and any surviving reed canary grass should be sprayed the following spring. Dalapon and Amitrol also reportedly kill canary grass, although no treatment recommendations other than label recommendations are available. All 3 herbicides are licensed for use in aquatic areas. Rodeo and Amitrol are nonselective herbicides that will kill all vegetation contacted. Dalapon selectively kills grasses and monocots, but not broadleaf plants. Spraying foliage with Roundup (a formulation of glyphosate) mixed according to label instructions and subsequent burning of dead residue has been moderately effective in northern Illinois. However, Roundup is not licensed for use in aquatic areas and should only be used in areas without standing water. When using any herbicide, precautions should be taken to avoid contacting non-target species. Do not spray so heavily that herbicide drips off the target species. The herbicide should be applied while backing away from the treated area to avoid contacting wet herbicide. By law, herbicides only may be applied as per label instructions.
Where practical, it can be useful to sow in seed of nearby native grasses and forbs after reed canary grass has died (due to control efforts) or gone dormant. Seed of nearby native grasses and forbs should be collected when ripe and then raked into the sod as soon as the reed canary grass has died.
Failed or Ineffective Practices
The following practices should be avoided:
- hand control: very slow and too labor-intensive for large stands.
- mowing: probably not effective as a control measure.
- herbicides: probably none that are selective enough to be useful in high quality areas.
- grazing: probably not a practical method of control in wetland areas where canary grass usually is a problem.
- tillage: not usually practical in wetlands and not appropriate for high quality sites.
- restoring water levels: many wetlands are drier now than historically, and restoring water levels needs more research.
- biological controls: none known that are feasible in natural areas.
- introduction of competitive species: probably few native species can compete with reed canary grass in wetlands if burning is not used also. It reportedly will even crowd out cattails. Prescribed burning allows native species that are present or seeded-in to compete successfully.
- heavy equipment: removal with construction equipment is ineffective, as reed canary grass responds quickly by growing back from rhizomes and seeds remaining in the soil. Use of heavy equipment is not appropriate in good quality natural communities.
Adapted from material written for the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission by: Max Hutchison The Nature Conservancy Route 1, Box 53E Ullin, Illinois 62992
