Ribbon grass or gardener's garters
Phalaris arundinacea var. picta
Reed canary grass is 2-9 foot tall. The stem is hairless and stands erect. One of the first grasses to sprout in the spring.
Overview
Other names for this plant include:- Common names: ribbon grass, gardener's garters
- Scientific names: P. arundinacea var. picta; Phalaroides arundinacea
- It forms dense, persistent monospecific stands in wetlands, moist meadows, and riparian areas that outcompete desirable native plants.
- Reed canary grass dominates a significant number of wetlands in the Midwest.
Classification in Wisconsin: Restricted (this restriction does not include the parent type - reed canary grass)
Species Assessment Groups (SAG) were assembled to recommend a legal classification for each species considered for NR 40. The recommendation for reed canary grass - ribbon grass cultivar was based upon this literature review [PDF] developed by the department.
Identification
Leaves: Blades are flat and have a rough texture on both surfaces. Leaf blades gradually taper from the base to the tip and are 4-8 inches long and about ½ inch wide. The ligule is unusually large—up to ½ inch long. Top leaves are horizontal.
Flowers: Densely clustered single florets that are green to purple when in bloom (May to mid-June) and turn golden tan as seeds form. The flower branches spread during bloom but draw close to the stem at maturity.
Fruits & seeds: Ripen in late June. Seeds can germinate immediately at maturation. Dispersed via waterways, animals, humans, and machines.
Roots: Rhizomes with large numbers of dormant buds create a thick fibrous mat at or just below the soil surface.
Similar species: Reed canary grass closely resembles orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata; non-native) as well as native bluejoint grass (Calamagrostis canadensis). Reed canary grass leaves are wider than orchard grass leaves. Reed canary grass has a transparent ligule and bluejoint does not.
Control
Mechanical:- Small patches may be hand pulled, dug or covered with black plastic for a minimum of one growing season.
- Close mowing 3 times per year can be effective to retard growth and prevent seed set.
- Late spring or late fall burns for 5 to 6 years may be effective.
- Soil can also be tilled repeatedly for at least one growing season or the sod can be removed by bulldozer or bobcat making sure to go 8-18” down.
- A combination of these methods over a couple of years may be necessary to fully eliminate a stand.
- Small scattered clones can be controlled by tying stems together just before flowering, cutting off and bagging stems, and applying glyphosate to the cut stems.
- Foliar spray with solution of glyphosate formulated for use over water.
- Grass specific herbicides, like sethoxydim and fluazifop-p-butyl, can be used in non-aquatic environments.
- The herbicide imazapic has been shown to be effective for long-term control.
Photos
View ribbon grass pictures in our photo gallery!
Resources
Sources for content:- Czarapata, Elizabeth; Invasive Plants of the Upper Midwest: an illustrated guide to their identification and control. University of Wisconsin Press. 2005. Pg. 75-78
- Fewless, Gary. Herbarium, Coffrin Center for Biodiversity, UW-Green Bay. Invasive Plants of Wisconsin. Phalaris arundinacea [exit DNR].
- Tu, M. 2004. Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) Control and Management in the Pacific Northwest. [exit DNR]