Australian phalaris (Phalaris aquatica, Cent. Pl. I: 4 (1755))

Family: Poaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Cent. Pl. I: 4 (1755)

Year: 1755

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Phalaris

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to Caucasus

Description

Australian phalaris, scientifically known as Phalaris aquatica, is a robust perennial grass belonging to the Poaceae family. First documented in 1755 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus in his influential work “Centuria Plantarum”.

This versatile and hardy species thrives across diverse climatic regions, extending from Macaronesia and the Mediterranean all the way to the Caucasus. Adapted to a wide range of environmental conditions, Australian phalaris is particularly valued for its exceptional productivity and resilience, making it a popular choice for pasture and forage in agriculture.

Australian phalaris grows in dense clumps, with tall, erect stems that can reach impressive heights, featuring broad, bluish-green leaves. These characteristics not only contribute to its ornamental appeal but also enhance its utility as a grazing grass for livestock. The plant’s deep root system enables it to withstand drought conditions, further cementing its role in sustainable farming practices, especially in arid and semi-arid regions.

Flowering typically occurs in late spring to early summer, producing distinctive panicles that shine when the plant is in full bloom. These seed heads provide a valuable source of food for various bird species, demonstrating the ecological significance of Phalaris aquatica beyond its agricultural uses.

In summary, Australian phalaris is a multi-functional grass species renowned for its adaptability, high yield, and environmental benefits, making it a key player in both pastoral and ecological landscapes.

Common Names

Eng: australian phalaris, bulbous canary-grass, bulbous canarygrass, harding grass, toowoomba canary grass, bulbous canary grass
Deu: wasser-glanzgras, knolliges glanzgras
Fra: alpiste bulbeux, herbe de harding, phalaris tubéreux
Por: capim-doce
Ita: falaride tuberosa
Hun: gumós kanáriköles
Swe: knölflen
Spa: rabillo de cordero
Cym: pefrwellt goddfog
En: Australian phalaris, Harding grass, Bulbous Canary grass, Toowoomba Canary grass, Bulbous Canary-grass, Bulbous canarygrass, Harding’s Grass, Canary grass
Ca: Falaris aquàtica
Zh: Shui ge cao
Nl: Knolrietgras
Fr: Alpiste bulbeux, Herbe de Harding, Phalaris tubéreux, Alpiste aquatique, Alpiste noueux, Phalaris aquatique, Phalaris noueux, Alpiste allongé, Alpiste de Montpellier, Alpiste tronqué
De: Knolliges Glanzgras, Wasser-Glanzgras, Zwiebellieschgras
He: חפורית הפקעים
Hu: Gumós kanáriköles
It: Falaride tuberosa, Scagliola bulbosa
Ja: Hādhingu-gurasu
Pt: Capim-doce
Es: Rabillo de cordero, Falaris bulbosa, Falaris perenne
Sv: Knölflen
Cy: Pefrwellt Goddfog

Synonyms

• Phalaris tuberosa var. alata (Trab.)
• Phalaris aquatica var. hirtiglumis ((Trab.) Portal)
• Phalaris tuberosa var. stenoptera ((Hack.) Hitchc.)
• Phalaris arundinacea subsp. bulbosa (Paunero)
• Phalaris aquatica var. major (Willk.)
• Phalaris tuberosa var. hirtiglumis (Batt. & Trab.)
• Phalaris aquatica var. stenoptera ((Hack.) Burkart)
• Phalaris caespitosa (Thouars)
• Phalaris tuberosa var. clausonis (Maire & Trab.)
• Phalaris bulbosa var. clausonis ((Maire & Trab.) Maire & Weiller)
• Phalaris trabutiana (Maire)
• Phalaris bulbosa var. hirtiglumis ((Trab.) Maire & Weiller)
• Phalaris bulbosa var. alata ((Batt. & Trab.) Maire & Weiller)
• Phalaris stenoptera (Hack.)
• Phalaris elongata (Braun-Blanq.)
• Phalaris hirtiglumis ((Trab.) Baldini)
• Phalaris nodosa var. minor (Lojac.)
• Phalaris nodosa (L.)
• Phalaris altissima (Menezes)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile North (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Egypt (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Montana (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Tristan da Cunha (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jun 24, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 17, 2020 by Rusty Purple (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 5, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 9, 2021 by jack et bea (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 2, 2020 by Major Beesley (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 17, 2009 by EOL − Barry Rice (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Feb 10, 2022 by Jorge Hernández López (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 20, 2008 by EOL − Zoya Akulova (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jul 24, 2022 by Bernd Droste (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 5, 2021 by Jean Pieters (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 6, 2014 by EOL − c michael hogan (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Jim Knopf (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 7, 2018 by joselu (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 14, 2018 by Catherine Bouvard (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Emmanuel STRATMAINS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 15, 2015 by EOL − Di (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Habit

Taken May 10, 2015 by EOL − Richard Wasson (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 9, 2015 by EOL − Charlie Hohn (cc-by-nc)

Taken Dec 22, 2020 by Mary Graham (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 6, 2013 by EOL − Donna Pomeroy (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 21, 2017 by Michael Goddard (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5289746)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:415560-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Phalaris aquatica L.)

Specifications

Growth