Phalaris arundinacea Linnaeus. Reed Canary-grass, Ribbon Grass. Phen: May-Jul. Hab: Fens, calcareous spring marshes, wet meadows, wet fields, moist forests, moist disturbed areas, bogs. Dist: NL (Newfoundland) west to AK, south to NC, TN, AR, NM, CA; Mexico; Eurasia.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Taxonomy Comments: "North American populations may be a mix of native strains, European strains, and agronomic cultivars (Merigliano & Lesica 1998)" (Barkworth 2007q). It is unsatisfying that this species is both considered "native" in our region, as well as "alien" and "invasive" because of its complicated origins and genotype.

Other Comments: A variegated form, P. arundinacea forma variegata (Parnell) Druce, is cultivated for ornament, as Ribbon Grass.

Synonymy: = Ar, C, F, FNA24, GW1, Il, K1, K3, K4, Mi, Mo1, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S, S13, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WV, Tucker (1996), Voshell, Baldini, & Hilu (2016); = Phalaroides arundinacea (L.) Rauschert; > Phalaris arundinacea L. var. arundinacea – G, HC; > Phalaris arundinacea L. var. picta L. – G, HC

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: OBL
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACW
• Great Plains: FACW
• Midwest: FACW
• Northcentral & Northeast: FACW

Heliophily: 8