Seed canary grass (Phalaris canariensis, Sp. Pl.: 54 (1753))

Family: Poaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 54 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Phalaris

Vegetable: False

Observations: Canary Is., Morocco

Description

Seed canary grass, known scientifically as Phalaris canariensis, is a fascinating plant species with a notable history and distinctive characteristics. This particular species hails primarily from the Canary Islands and Morocco, adding to the regions’ rich botanical diversity.

Phalaris canariensis is a member of the Poaceae family, commonly referred to as the grass family, which is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of monocotyledonous flowering plants known for their significant ecological and economic importance.

First documented in the publication “Species Plantarum” in 1753 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus, also designated by the abbreviated author citation “L.”, Seed canary grass stands out in the botanical community. Linnaeus’ work laid the foundation for modern plant taxonomy, and his inclusion of Phalaris canariensis in his seminal publication highlights its prominence and relevance in botanical studies.

This robust grass is primarily known for its utility in bird-feed, particularly for canaries, which is where its common name is derived from. The seeds of Phalaris canariensis are small and glossy, making them an ideal food source for a variety of bird species. Moreover, the plant’s ability to thrive in different environmental conditions contributes to its prevalence and cultivation across various regions.

In summary, Seed canary grass (Phalaris canariensis) is a noteworthy member of the Poaceae family, celebrated not only for its ecological role but also for its historical documentation by Linnaeus and its practical use as bird feed. Originating from the Canary Islands and Morocco, this plant continues to be of interest both to botanists and bird enthusiasts alike.

Common Names

Dan: almindelig kanariegræs, kanariegræs
Fra: alpiste, alpiste des canaries, graines d’oiseaux, graines de canaris, phalaris des canaries
Eng: annual canarygrass, canary grass, canary-grass, seed canary grass, birdseed grass, common canarygrass
Deu: echtes glanzgras, kanarien-glanzgras, kanariengras, kanariengras, echtes glanzgras
Lav: kan
Lit: kanarinis strypainis
Mlt: skalora
Por: alpista
Spa: alpiste
Ces: chrastice kanárská
Est: kanari paelrohi
Swe: kanariegräs
Hun: közönséges kanáriköles
Ita: scagliola
Nld: kanariezaad
Sme: kánáriaruošši
Cym: pefrwellt amaethol, pefrwellt yr adar
En: Seed Canary grass, Canary grass, Annual canarygrass, Common Canary Grass, COMMON CANARYGRASS, Canary-grass, Birdseed grass
Ar: خرفار كناري
Eu: Alpiste
Ca: Escaiola
Zh: 加拿麗鷸草, 加那利虉草, 加那利鷸草
Cs: Chrastice kanárská
Da: Almindelig kanariegræs, Kanariegræs
Nl: Kanariezaad, Wit Vogeltjeszaad
Et: Kanaari paelrohi, Kanari paelrohi
Fi: Kanarianhelpi
Fr: Alpiste des Canaries, Alpiste, Graines d’oiseaux, Graines de canaris, Phalaris des Canaries, Alpiste à épi court
De: Kanariengras, Kanarien-Glanzgras, Echtes Glanzgras, Kanariengras, Echtes Glanzgras, Kanariensaat
He: חפורית קנרית
Hu: Fénymag, Közönséges kanáriköles
It: Scagliola, Scagliola comune, Canaria
Ja: Kanarii-kusa-yoshi
Lv: Kan
Lt: Kanarinis strypainis
Ml: കാനറിപ്പുല്ല്
Mt: Skalora
Se: Kánáriaruošši
Pl: Mozga kanaryjska
Pt: Alpista
Pt-br: Alpiste
Es: Alpiste, Zacate canario
Sv: Kanariegräs
Zh-tw: 加拿麗鷸草
Zh-hant: 金絲雀虉草
Uk: Очеретянка канаркова
Cy: Pefrwellt yr adar, Pefrwellt Amaethol

Synonyms

• Phalaris canariensis f. colorata (Jansen & Wacht.)
• Phalaris canariensis f. vivipara (Junge)
• Phalaris canariensis subsp. typica (Posp.)
• Phalaris canariensis var. villosula (Jansen & Wacht.)
• Phalaris avicularis (Salisb.)
• Phalaris canariensis var. nigra (Stokes)
• Phalaris canariensis f. bracteata (Jansen & Wacht.)
• Phalaris canariensis var. tenuis (Jansen & Wacht.)
• Phalaris canariensis var. subcylindrica (Thell.)
• Phalaris ovata (Moench)
• Phalaris canariensis var. debilis (Tocl & Rohlena)

Distribution

• Canary Is. (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Alaska (introduced)
• Albania (introduced)
• Alberta (introduced)
• Algeria (introduced)
• Altay (introduced)
• Argentina Northeast (introduced)
• Argentina Northwest (introduced)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Arizona (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Baleares (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Belarus (introduced)
• Belgium (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• Bolivia (introduced)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• British Columbia (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Central European Rus (introduced)
• Chatham Is. (introduced)
• Chile Central (introduced)
• Chile South (introduced)
• China North-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Colorado (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Corse (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Cyprus (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• East Aegean Is. (introduced)
• East European Russia (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
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• Florida (introduced)
• France (introduced)
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• Turkey (introduced)
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• Utah (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
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• Victoria (introduced)
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• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Wyoming (introduced)
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• Yugoslavia (introduced)
• Yukon (introduced)

Additional Images

Habit

Taken Oct 24, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude CALAIS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 3, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 10, 2021 by van Passel Jerome (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 20, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2022 by Marine Gourseaud (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 12, 2022 by joe k (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 30, 2020 by xavier font (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2021 by Ketxus Lopez (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 14, 2021 by Jay Dee (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2019 by Chantal RÉAU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 12, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Jean-Claude CALAIS (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 3, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 3, 2017 by Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 21, 2020 by Roxanne Cariadi-Kimbler (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1800 by Tela Botanica − Daniel MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

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)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:415588-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5289744)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Phalaris canariensis L.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 6.5

Ph minimum: 5.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 4

Soil nutriments: 6