Plants diurnal

reed canary grass

Phalaris arundinacea

A towering presence in the wetlands, reed canary grass creates lush, waving meadows that define the water's edge. Its aggressive growth and unique flowering spikes make it a fascinating study in resilience and adaptation.

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Quick Identification

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Size

2 to 9 feet (0.6 to 2.8 meters) tall with leaf blades up to 10 inches (25 cm) in length

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Colors

Bright blue-green foliage during growth; flower heads transition from green/purple to a tan or straw color when mature

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Key Features

Transparent, papery ligule where the leaf meets the stem
Dense, branched flower clusters (panicles) that can reach 10 inches long
Hollow, sturdy, bamboo-like stems
Thick, mat-forming underground rhizomes

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern diurnal

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Peak hours 6 AM - 8 PM

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Season May-August

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Diet As a photosynthetic plant, it consumes sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water; it is particularly efficient at absorbing nitrogen and phosphorus from soil and water runoff.

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Habitat Wetlands, stream banks, drainage ditches, wet meadows, and low-lying suburban yards.

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Behavior

Reed canary grass is a highly energetic and aggressive perennial that is famous for its ability to dominate wetland ecosystems. It spreads through a sophisticated network of underground stems called rhizomes, which allow it to form dense, single-species stands. This growth habit is so effective that it often crowds out native wildflowers and other grasses, creating a sea of uniform green along riverbanks and marshes.

In the backyard or suburban landscape, this grass acts as a biological filter, thriving in areas with high nutrient runoff from fertilizers or septic systems. While it provides excellent cover for small mammals like voles and nesting sites for certain waterfowl, its rapid expansion can be a challenge for gardeners. It is one of the first plants to emerge in the spring, making it a reliable indicator of the changing seasons.

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Camera Tips

Reed canary grass is an ideal subject for time-lapse photography. To capture its impressive growth spurt in the spring, mount your camera on a T-post or a sturdy stake at a height of about 4 feet, angled slightly downward. Set your camera to 'Time-Lapse' mode with an interval of one photo every 4 to 6 hours. Over the course of a month, you will see the grass 'crawl' across the frame as its rhizomes expand and the stalks shoot upward toward the sun.

If you are using a motion-triggered camera to spot wildlife, look for 'tunnels' within the grass. Small mammals like muskrats, rabbits, and voles create hidden paths through the dense stalks to avoid predators. Place your camera very low to the ground—about 6 inches up—and aim it down the length of these tunnels. Be sure to trim away any blades of grass within 12 inches of the lens, as reed canary grass catches the wind easily and will cause hundreds of false triggers on a breezy day.

For the most aesthetic shots of the seed heads, use the early morning light. The dense panicles are excellent at catching morning dew and spider webs. If your camera allows for manual focus or macro-style shots, try to capture the grass during the 'golden hour' (the first hour after sunrise). The backlighting will illuminate the fine hairs and structures of the flowering heads, turning a common 'weed' into a stunning piece of nature photography.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with reed canary grass.

Bluejoint Grass

Has thinner stems and more delicate, open flower panicles compared to the chunky, dense spikes of reed canary grass.

Orchard Grass

Grows in distinct bunches or clumps rather than spreading mats, and has flower clusters that look like a closed fist or 'clump' at the end of the stems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reed canary grass is most active from late spring to mid-summer. It begins growing in early April and typically produces its distinct flower heads in June and July before turning brown and dormant in late autumn.

You don't need to 'attract' it so much as manage it. If you have a damp area, the grass will provide natural cover for birds and small mammals. To see more wildlife, create small clearings or paths through the grass where animals can emerge into view of your camera.

While many animals use it for cover, muskrats and some livestock will graze on the young shoots. Some species of moth larvae and insects feed on the leaves, and small songbirds may occasionally eat the seeds in late summer.

Yes, it is very common in suburban areas, particularly in roadside ditches, near retention ponds, or in backyards that have poor drainage or border natural wetlands.

Reed canary grass has much wider leaves (up to 3/4 inch) and a very prominent, papery ligule (a small flap where the leaf meets the stem). Bluejoint grass is generally more slender and has much more delicate, wispy flower clusters.

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