Phalaris aquatica

Species category

Weed

Common name

Harding grass, bulbous canarygrass

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

FloretFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.

Shape

Lanceolate 

Size

  • Length 3.3–4 mm 
  • Width 1.2–1.5 mm 
  • Thickness 0.9–1 mm 

Color

Brown

Texture

Shiny

Lemma

ApicalApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
half with appressedAppressed:
Pressed close or lying flat against something.
hairs

Palea

ApicalApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
half with appressedAppressed:
Pressed close or lying flat against something.
hairs

Other structures

Short (approx. one-third the floretFloret:
A small flower in a clustered inflorescence (e.g., sunflower, grasses). In grasses, a floret consists of the lemma, palea, stamens, and pistil.
length) sterile lemmaLemma:
One of two bracts of the grass floret; it is located on the side nearest the embryo and opposite the rachilla.
attached to the base.

Identification notes

LemmaLemma:
One of two bracts of the grass floret; it is located on the side nearest the embryo and opposite the rachilla.
and paleaPalea:
One of the thin bracts of grass floret enclosing the fruit (caryopsis) that is located on the side opposite the embryo.
have a few strong and longitudinal lines.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Poaceae

Valid name

Phalaris aquatica L.

Synonyms

Phalaris stenoptera Hack.
Phalaris tuberosa
L.
Phalaris tuberosa
L. var. hirtiglumis Batt. & Trabut
Phalaris tuberosa L. var. stenoptera (Hack.) Hitchc.

 Phalaris aquatica . Shiny florets.
Phalaris aquatica. Shiny florets.
 Phalaris aquatica.  Florets with lemmas and paleas that have a few strong and longitudinal lines. 
Phalaris aquatica. Florets with lemmas and paleas that have a few strong and longitudinal lines.