Canary grass

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• annual canarygrass
• birdseed grass
• canarygrass
• Canary-Grass
• seed Canary grass
• Canary Seed
• Canary Seedgrass
• Common Canary Grass

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Phalaris canariensis f. bracteata
• Phalaris canariensis f. colorata
• Phalaris canariensis f. vivipara
• Phalaris canariensis var. debilis
• Phalaris canariensis var. nigra
• Phalaris canariensis var. subcylindrica
• Phalaris canariensis var. tenuis
• Phalaris canariensis var. villosula

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It is further organized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Poales. Finally, it is a member of the family Poaceae and falls under the genus Phalaris.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several regions of Europe. In Northern Europe, its presence is recorded in both Great Britain and Ireland. Moving toward Middle Europe, the species can be found within the borders of Austria. It also inhabits parts of Belgium located in the same central region. Finally, the distribution extends further into Middle Europe to include Czechia-Slovakia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phalaris canariensis is characterized by its adaptability to a wide vertical gradient, spanning an elevational range from 0 to a maximum of 2000 m AMSL. This species demonstrates a notable ability to colonize anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica), frequently establishing itself in environments modified by human activity. Its presence across such a broad altitudinal spectrum suggests a versatile physiological tolerance to varying climatic conditions, ranging from sea-level habitats to higher montane zones.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Phalaris canarienensis is characterized by its classification as an annual plant, meaning it completes its entire biological cycle—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. Morphologically, the species functions as a therophyte, a life form defined by its strategy of surviving unfavorable environmental conditions as dormant seeds, with the vegetative body dying off completely at the end of the life cycle. This developmental pattern ensures that the plant can rapidly exploit available resources during its active growth phase before returning to a seed state to await the next favorable period.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Phalaris canarienensis is characterized by a graminoid growth form, functioning as a non-woody herb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing behavior and maintains an erect shoot orientation. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently without being an epiphyte or a parasite. The plant's stature varies significantly depending on environmental conditions, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.15 m to a maximum of 1.2 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.555 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

graminoid

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height mean:

0.555 m

Plant height min:

0.15 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Phalaris canariensis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy. Its leaf morphology exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 25 cm. The width of the leaves is similarly variable, measuring as narrow as 0.4 cm and reaching a maximum of 1.2 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 0.7 cm. These dimensions contribute to a mean leaf size of approximately 28.94 cm², while the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 218.4 cm²/g, reflecting its internal leaf structure and resource allocation strategies.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

25 cm

Leaf length min:

0.3 cm

Leaf size mean:

28.94 cm²

Leaf width max:

1.2 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.7 cm

Leaf width min:

0.4 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

218.4 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Phalaris canariensis is characterized by a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is absent. The plant produces green flowers that are relatively small, ranging in length from 0.4 cm to 0.55 cm, which are arranged in a paniculate inflorescence. This inflorescence is compact, with a length varying between 0.02 m and 0.04 m. The pollination syndrome is classified as abiotic, specifically utilizing wind for the transfer of pollen. Following successful pollination, the plant develops dry fruits containing seeds with highly consistent dimensions; the seeds maintain a mean length of 4 mm, a mean width of 1.4 mm, and a mean volume of 5 mm³. The seed mass is quite light, with a mean of 0.005633 g, though it ranges from a minimum of 0.0021 g to a maximum of 0.00687 g. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in September. Finally, the dispersal of these seeds is identified as anthropochorous, meaning they are spread via human activity.

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

green

Flower length max:

0.55 cm

Flower length min:

0.4 cm

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit dryness :

dry

Inflorescence :

panicle

Inflorescence length max:

0.04 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.02 m

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

4 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00687 g

Seed mass mean:

0.005633 g

Seed mass min:

0.0021 g

Seed volume max:

5 mm³

Seed width mean:

1.4 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Phalaris canariensis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include seed.

Seed

1. Journal of oleo science

Chemicals

Phalaris canariensis has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Carotenoids, Chlorophylls, linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid.

Carotenoids

1. Journal of oleo science

Chlorophylls

1. Journal of oleo science

linoleic acid

1. Journal of oleo science

oleic acid

1. Journal of oleo science

palmitic acid

1. Journal of oleo science

Activities

Phalaris canariensis has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Journal of oleo science

Antioxidant

1. Journal of oleo science

Preparations