Little seed canary grass

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Mediterranean canary grass
• lesser canarygrass
• little seed canarygrass
• Lesser Canary-grass
• annual Canary grass
• bristle-spike Canary grass
• little-seed Canary grass
• small Canary grass
• wild Canary grass
• Little-Seeded Canary Grass

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Phalaris minor f. integra
• Phalaris aquatica var. minor
• Phalaris coerulescens var. minor
• Phalaris minor var. mouterdei
• Phalaris minor var. haematitis
• Phalaris minor var. bracteata
• Phalaris capensis
• Phalaris minor var. composita
• Phalaris brevis
• Phalaris minor var. glomerata
• Phalaris gracilis
• Phalaris nepalensis
• Phalaris minor f. bracteata
• Phalaris minor f. composita
• Phalaris minor f. glomerata
• Phalaris minor f. gracilis
• Phalaris minor f. haematites
• Phalaris minor f. subcylindrica
• Phalaris minor subsp. gracilis
• Phalaris minor var. comosula
• Phalaris minor var. gracilis
• Phalaris minor var. integra
• Phalaris minor var. nepalensis
• Phalaris minor var. phaeosperma
• Phalaris arundinacea var. minor
• Phalaris ambigua

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known as Phalaris minor, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Poales and the family Poaceae. It is specifically classified under the genus Phalaris.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad presence across several regions in the European continent. In Northern Europe, its distribution includes Denmark, Great Britain, and Ireland. Moving toward the center of the continent, it can also be found throughout Middle Europe. Specifically, this species is documented in Austria as part of its central range. Furthermore, its geographical reach extends through the Czechia-Slovakia region.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phalaris minor is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to elevations of 3000 m AMSL. This species is specifically adapted to moisture-rich environments, frequently colonizing wet meadows where soil saturation supports its growth patterns. Its distribution across such a diverse elevational range suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing it to persist in both lowland plains and higher montane ecosystems, provided the habitat maintains sufficient moisture levels.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

meadows: wet

Life history

The life history of Phalaris minor is characterized by an annual lifecycle, completing its entire developmental progression from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives unfavorable environmental conditions by producing hardy seeds that remain dormant until favorable moisture and temperature levels trigger regrowth, bypassing the need to maintain vegetative structures during stressful periods. This strategy allows the plant to rapidly colonize disturbed habitats and exploit seasonal resources effectively.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Phalaris minor is characterized by its growth form as a graminoid herb. It is a non-woody, self-supporting plant that grows in a terrestrial habitat, functioning as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte. The plant's stature varies significantly depending on environmental conditions, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 1.8 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

graminoid

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.8 m

Plant height mean:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Phalaris minor is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The morphological development of its foliage shows significant variability in dimensions, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 25 cm. This variation in longitudinal growth is accompanied by fluctuations in leaf width, which maintains a mean measurement of 0.6 cm, while the width can vary from a minimum of 0.4 cm to a maximum of 1.3 cm.

Leaf length max:

25 cm

Leaf length min:

0.8 cm

Leaf width max:

1.3 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.6 cm

Leaf width min:

0.4 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Phalaris minor is characterized by a reliance on sexual processes, as asexual reproduction is entirely absent. The plant produces a panicle inflorescence, which typically measures between 0.01 m and 0.07 m in length. The flowering period is concentrated in the month of April, with individual flowers ranging in length from a minimum of 0.25 cm to a maximum of 0.4 cm. The pollination syndrome is classified as abiotic, specifically utilizing wind for the transfer of pollen. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces small seeds with a very consistent morphology; the seed length is steady at 2.2 mm, and the seed width remains constant at 1 mm. The mass of these seeds varies slightly, with a mean seed mass of 0.00145875 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00127 g to a maximum of 0.00217 g.

Flower length max:

0.4 cm

Flower length min:

0.25 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Inflorescence :

panicle

Inflorescence length max:

0.07 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.01 m

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length mean:

2.2 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00217 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00145875 g

Seed mass min:

0.00127 g

Seed width mean:

1 mm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Phalaris minor has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Anthocyanins, Coumarins, Flavonoids, Glycosides, Phenols.

Anthocyanins

1. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan

Coumarins

1. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan

Flavonoids

1. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan

Glycosides

1. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan

Phenols

1. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan

Saponins

1. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan

Steroids

1. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan

Tannins

1. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan

Activities

Phalaris minor has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic.

Cytotoxic

1. Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan

Preparations