Paradoxa grass (Phalaris paradoxa, Sp. Pl. ed. 2: 1665 (1763))

Family: Poaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl. ed. 2: 1665 (1763)

Year: 1763

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Phalaris

Vegetable: False

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to Pakistan

Description

Paradoxa Grass (Phalaris paradoxa)

Paradoxa grass, scientifically known as Phalaris paradoxa, is an intriguing species within the Poaceae family. First described in the compendium “Species Plantarum” during its second edition in 1763 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, this grass has a storied history and a significant presence in various ecological regions.

Widely found from Macaronesia across the Mediterranean to as far southeast as Pakistan, Paradoxa grass thrives in diverse climatic conditions. This adaptability underscores its resilience and ability to compete in various ecosystems. The plant typically flourishes in regions that experience a Mediterranean climate, which includes hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

Paradoxa grass is characterized by its distinct inflorescence structure, which distinguishes it from other members of the Phalaris genus. Farmers and botanists alike note its competitive nature, often observing its robust growth in agricultural and disturbed lands. Despite its advantageous adaptability, it requires management in certain areas to prevent it from becoming overly dominant and outcompeting native flora.

Whether you encounter it swaying in the warm Mediterranean breezes or see it taking root in the diverse landscapes of Pakistan, Paradoxa grass remains a plant of interest both for its ecological impact and its historic botanical description. As part of the Poaceae family, it serves as another example of the complex interactions within plant ecosystems and the ongoing study required to understand and manage these intricate relationships.

Common Names

Fra: alpiste déformé, alpiste paradoxal
Eng: awned canary-grass, hood canarygrass, awned canary grass, bristle-spike canary grass, hooded canary grass, paradoxa grass, paradoxical canary grass, variable canary grass
Lit: keistasis strypainis
Deu: seltsames glanzgras, sonderbares glanzgras
Dan: stak-glansfrø
Lav: dīvain
Swe: klubbflen
Cym: pefrwellt coliog
En: Paradoxa grass, Paradoxical Canary grass, Awned Canary grass, Bristle-spike Canary grass, Hooded Canary grass, Variable Canary grass, Hood canarygrass, Mediterranean Canary Grass, Awned Canary-grass, Paradox Canary Grass
Ar: شعير الفار ( شَعيرالفار), خرفار متناقض
Hy: Սերինոսահատ տարօրինակ
Ca: Falaris paradoxa
Zh: 奇虉草
Hr: Valjkasta svjetlica
Da: Stak-glansfrø
Fi: Nuijahelpi, Rikkahelpi
Fr: Alpiste déformé, Alpiste paradoxal, Alpiste bleuâtre
De: Seltsames Glanzgras, Sonderbares Glanzgras
He: חפורית מוזרה
It: Scagliola sterile
Lv: Dīvain
Lt: Keistasis strypainis
Pl: Mozga osobliwa
Es: Alpiste vanillo
Sv: Klubbflen
Cy: Pefrwellt coliog

Synonyms

• Phalaris paradoxa var. microstachya (Goiran)
• Phalaris paradoxa f. nana (Chiov.)
• Phalaris paradoxa var. typica (Paunero)
• Phalaris paradoxa f. praemorsa ((Lam.) Paunero)
• Phalaris paradoxa var. intermedia (Coss. & Durieu)
• Phalaris paradoxa var. megastachya (Goiran)
• Phalaris appendiculata (Schult.)
• Phalaris pruinosa (Lam. ex P.Beauv.)
• Phalaris paradoxa var. intacta (Coss. & Durieu)
• Phalaris rubens (Ehrenb. ex Trin.)
• Phalaris paradoxa var. praemorsa ((Lam.) Coss. & Durieu)
• Phalaris obvallata (Trin.)
• Phalaris utriculosa (L. ex Munro)
• Phalaris paradoxa var. appendiculata ((Schult.) Pirotta)
• Phalaris praemorsa (Lam.)
• Phalaris pseudoparadoxa (Fig. & De Not.)
• Phalaris sibthorpii (Griseb.)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Iran (native)
• Iraq (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Oman (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Djibouti (introduced)
• Eritrea (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Kamchatka (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Mexico Northeast (introduced)
• Mexico Northwest (introduced)
• Mexico Southwest (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Primorye (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Uruguay (introduced)
• Victoria (introduced)
• Washington (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 9, 2013 by EOL − Valter Jacinto (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 30, 2011 by EOL − Steve Matson (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 2, 2022 by Simon Flippo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 8, 2021 by Antonio López Rodríguez (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 14, 2007 by EOL − Luigi Rignanese (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 14, 2007 by EOL − Luigi Rignanese (cc-by-nc)

Taken May 14, 2007 by EOL − Luigi Rignanese (cc-by-nc)

Fruit

Taken May 9, 2013 by EOL − Valter Jacinto (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken May 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 14, 2007 by EOL − Luigi Rignanese (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jun 17, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 30, 2022 by Hendri Coetzee (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 17, 2022 by oueslati akrem (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 16, 2019 by Faïza AIOUANI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jul 25, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Mathieu MENAND (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Other

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

Taken May 15, 2017 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 17, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

© 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/5289758)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:415647-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Phalaris paradoxa L.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Graminoid

Growth

Bloom months: [‘apr’, ‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’]