Reed Canarygrass

Phalaris arundinacea, commonly known as reed canarygrass, is a robust and large cool-season grass characterized by its sod-forming growth habit. This grass species typically grows thick culms ranging from 3 to 6 feet tall, emerging from large leafy sod clumps. Native to the Northern United States, reed canarygrass is widely adapted to regions with poorly drained, wetland areas, particularly those prone to frequent flooding, especially in silty or clayey soils. It demonstrates adaptability to elevations ranging from near sea level to about 9,000 feet in the Rocky Mountains. While it is generally incompatible with most other species, it may be used in a legume mixture with intensive culture and management. Reed canarygrass finds widespread use in seeding humid, wet, and irrigated lands for pasture, hay, and silage production. It is also valued for soil conservation purposes, particularly for gully control and maintaining grassed waterways and stream banks. While it exhibits medium palatability for livestock when actively growing, its palatability decreases to poor to fair levels in fall and winter. Renowned for its high forage yields in semi-hydric habitats, reed canarygrass remains a staple component of pasture and conservation programs across its native range.