3. Phalaris canariensis L. (canary grass)

Pl. 135 e, f; Map 547

Plants annual, forming tufts. Flowering stems 20–90 cm long. Leaf sheaths with the ligule 2–7 mm long. Leaf blades 4–25 cm long, 3–11 mm wide. Inflorescences 1.5–4.0 cm long, 15–20 mm wide, appearing as dense, ovoid, uninterrupted spikes, the branches very short and inconspicuous. Glumes (4–)6–10 mm long, glabrous or hairy, the midnerve (keel) relatively broadly winged toward the tip, the wing up to 1 mm wide at its broadest point. Sterile lemmas 2.5–4.5 mm long, lanceolate, membranous to papery, not swollen or fleshy, densely hairy. Fertile lemma 3.6–7.0 mm long, ovate, hairy. Anthers 2.5–3.5 mm long. Fruits 3.9–4.5 mm long, elliptic to oblong‑ovate in outline, light brown to olive‑brown. 2n=12. June–October.

Introduced, uncommon and widely scattered in southern and central Missouri (native of Europe, introduced widely but sporadically in North America, Mexico, and the Southern Hemisphere). Roadsides, railroads, and open, disturbed areas.

This species is economically important as a source of seeds for pet birds. It escapes infrequently and probably does not persist for very long in the wild.