What is reed canary grass?

What is reed canary grass?

: a perennial grass (Phalaris arundinaceae) occurring commonly in marshy meadows and ditches of Europe and North America, used in some areas for forage, and having broad leaves and narrow dense panicles.

Where did reed canary grass come from?

Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea) is native to Europe, Asia, and North America. The European variety is particularly aggressive and it is likely that the invasive varieties are cultivars that were crossbred for fast growth.

Is canary grass good for hay?

Reed canarygrass can be used for pasture, hay or silage. Recovery following defoliation is excellent in the spring and early summer and is fair to good in late summer and early fall.

Is canary grass invasive?

Reed canary grass has invasive traits that enable it to spread aggressively. Reed canary grass is an unusual species that is thought to be native to North America, Europe, and Asia, with different ecotypes existing on different continents.

Is reed canary grass an annual or perennial?

perennial grass
Reed canary grass has been planted throughout the U.S. since the 1800s for forage and erosion control. It is a perennial grass that grows in wetlands, ditch banks, moist fields, and along roadsides.

How tall does reed canary grass grow?

2 to 9 feet tall
Reed canary grass is a large, coarse grass growing 2 to 9 feet tall. The stem is erect and hairless with gradually tapering leaf blades 3½ to 10 inches long and ¼ to ¾ inch in width.

Is canary grass poisonous?

Conditions of Poisoning Although the entire plant is poisonous, the seeds contain the largest concentration of the poisonous principle.

Is Reed canary grass toxic?

Toxicosis has been associated with different species of canary grass since 1942 on various continents. Reed canary grass contains alkaloids that can result in sudden death or neurological ‘staggers’ in ruminants, such as cattle, and are usually associated with spring growth.

Is Reed canary grass an annual or perennial?

Does reed canary grass make good hay?

According to the 2013 Michigan Forage Variety Test Report, reed canarygrass is slow to establish, has a long stand life, is rated “good” on acidic soils and “excellent” on wet soils, has good drought, heat and cold tolerance, and is rated good for both pasture and hay production.