Phalaris aquatica L.   =Phalaris tuberosa var. stenoptera   Poaceae (Grass Family)   Europe   Harding Grass

                                                May Photo

Plant Characteristics:  Perennial, cespitose, sometimes from short rhizomes; stems 4-15 dm. tall; infl. 1.5-11 cm. long, 1-2.5 cm. wide, generally cylindric, sometimes interrupted in lower third, or ovoid; glumes 4.5-7.5 mm. long, 1-2 mm. wide, generally glabrous, sometimes minutely toothed, keel wing-like; lower florets 1-2, if 2, the longer 1-2 mm. long, the shorter less than 0.5 mm. long, awl-like; upper lemma 3-4.5 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide, lanceolate-ovoid, densely hairy; fr. 2-2.5 mm. long, 1-1.5 mm. wide.

Habitat:  Occasional escape in wet places, northwestern Calif., central Coast, southern Coast, central Sierra Nevada, Oregon, and Santa Catalina Id., below 1200 m.  May-Sept.        

Name:  Phalaris, Greek name for grass with shiny spikelets.  (Hickman, Ed. 1281).  Latin, aquaticus, found in the water.  (Jaeger 23).

General:  Rare in the study area having been found only once and this on the road embankment below Jamboree Rd., near its intersection with Back Bay Dr.  The habitat of the species is generally wet places so I was surprised to find it in this dry location.  (my comment).      This grass, introduced into California by the Agricultural Experiment Station for forage, has become sparingly naturalized on the coast.  (Robbins, et al. 97).

Text Ref:  Hickman, Ed. 1281; Mason 185; Munz, Flora So. Calif. 989.

Photo Ref:  May 2 96 # 2,3.

Identity: by R. De Ruff, confirmed by John Johnson.

Computer Ref:  Plant Data 496.

Have plant specimen.

Last edit. 4/21/03.

                                              May Photo