Phalaris aquatica

It is an erect, waist-high, stout perennial bunch grass, with grayish to bluish green leaves. Flowering heads are dense, spike-like, and usually {{convert|2 to 5|in|round=5}} long. It is slow to develop from seed, but can form large bunches after several years.{{cite web | title=Phalaris aquatica | website=California Invasive Plant Council | date=2006-02-06 | url=http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/datastore/detailreport.cfm?usernumber=67&surveynumber=182 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060206095002/http://ucce.ucdavis.edu/datastore/detailreport.cfm?usernumber=67&surveynumber=182 | archive-date=2006-02-06 | url-status=dead | access-date=2022-05-03}}

Phalaris arundinacea (reed canary grass) differs from Harding grass in having more distinct rhizomes, and an inflorescence that is compact at first but becomes more open as the branches spread.

Hybrids of Harding grass and reed canary grass have been produced. Varieties include 'AQ1', 'Uneta', and 'Australis'.

P. aquatica is a quick-growing grass which incorporates and utilises soil nitrogen rapidly.{{cite conference | editor-last=Cheplick | editor-first=Gregory Paul | publisher=Botanical Society of America (CUP) | title=Population Biology of Grasses | publication-place=New York | isbn=978-0-511-52544-5 | oclc=847373775 | doi=10.1017/CBO9780511525445 | publication-date=1998 | date=8 August 1995 | conference=Annual meeting of the Botanical Society of America | location=San Diego, California, USA | pages=xii–399}}{{rp|pages=169–174}}

Phalaris aquatica originated from Southern Europe and the Caucasus. It is naturalized in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and the USA.{{cite web|author1=Heuzé V.|author2=Tran G.|author3=Boudon A.|author4=Lebas F.|date=2017|title=Bulbous canary grass (Phalaris aquatica)|website=Feedipedia.org|url=https://www.feedipedia.org/node/391}} Although very recently introduced there, its pasture value was first recognised in Australia.{{cite journal | last1=Oram | first1=R. N. | last2=Ferreira | first2=V. | last3=Culvenor | first3=R. A. | last4=Hopkins | first4=A. A. | last5=Stewart | first5=A. | title=The first century of Phalaris aquatica L. cultivation and genetic improvement: a review | journal=Crop & Pasture Science | publisher=CSIRO | volume=60 | issue=1 | year=2009 | page=1 | issn=1836-0947 | doi=10.1071/cp08170 | citeseerx=10.1.1.610.2641 | s2cid=83767465}} Domesticated cultivation then spread to the United States, Argentina and several other countries in South America, and New Zealand.

Leaves and seedlings contain gramine.

And dimethyltryptamine"N,N-Dimethyltryptamine Production in Phalaris aquatica Seedlings: A Mathematical Model for its Synthesis", J P Mack et al. Plant Physiol. 1988 Oct. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16666301/

Phalaris aquatica is a pasture species grazed by ruminants. The grass can also be cut, providing good quality fodder for grazing livestock for 8 to 12 months a year.

Some Phalaris species contain gramine (also found in Avena sativa 'Oats') which was claimed to cause brain damage, other organ damage, central nervous system damage and death in sheep (when injected in very large amounts)

{{cite book

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eASgQyXq8xMC&q=%22mimosa+hostilis%22+dimethyltryptamine&pg=PA169

|title=Toxicants of Plant Origin - Google Book Search

|access-date=2008-04-20

|isbn=9780849369902

|last1=Cheeke

|first1=Peter R.

|date=31 August 1989

|publisher=CRC-Press

}} although Phalaris aquatica is said to be non-toxic to them.{{Cite web|url=http://www.regional.org.au/au/asa/1996/contributed/450oram.htm|title=The Regional Institute - BREEDING NON-TOXIC PHALARIS (PHALARIS AQUATICA L.)|date=29 November 2012|website=Regional.org.au|access-date=29 November 2021}}

Image:Phalaris-aquatica-seeds.jpg

In Victoria, Australia, it is reported that kangaroos grazing on Phalaris aquatica may develop a condition known familiarly as "Phalaris staggers", in which coordination and mobility are affected.{{Cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-06-21/grass-to-blame-for-staggering-kangaroos/9886884|title=Kangaroos under the influence: Grass to blame for staggering death of 'drunken' kangaroos |first1=Jo |last1=Printz |first2=Mark |last2=Kearney |date=21 June 2018 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=29 November 2021}}

Harding grass is an invasive species in grassland, oak woodland, chaparral, and riparian habitats. Native grasses and grassland habitat in California are affected.{{citation needed|date=June 2022}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://ucjeps.berkeley.edu/eflora/eflora_display.php?tid=37601 Jepson Manual Treatment]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1750612}}

Category:Forages

aquatica

Category:Psychedelic tryptamine carriers

Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus

Category:Flora of Malta

Category:Grasses of Lebanon