Phalaris paradoxa
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Phalaris paradoxa

Paradoxa grass · Paradoxical Canary grass · Awned Canary grass · Bristle-spike Canary grass · Hooded Canary grass

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
15–35 °C
Soil pH
6–8
Hardiness
Zone 7–10
Click count
22
Observations
57

Description

Source: leafsnap

Phalaris paradoxa is a species of grass in genus Phalaris. Common names include awned canary-grass and hood canarygrass.The spikelets are very different from those of other members of this genus. The spikelet glumes each have a hook. It is native to Africa, Asia, and Europe, and it has been introduced widely. Its distribution within the United States includes Arizona, California, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun

Gnawed canary grass comes from sunny, open habitats and does best in full sun. It can tolerate some partial shade but favors direct sunlight to achieve optimal growth. This plant, which can be annual or biennial, is recognized for its sun-loving character.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 15–35°C

Gnawed canary grass has good temperature adaptability, tolerating high heat and wide temperature fluctuations. In hot weather, attention should be paid to watering and giving appropriate shade to avoid sunburn. However, Gnawed canary grass is relatively intolerant of low temperatures. While it can endure some cold, excessively low temperatures can cause frost damage.

Ideal temperature: 15–35°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-8
Soil pH: 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

Canary grass benefits from occasional trimming between early and late spring to manage its growth. Removing dead or damaged stems helps maintain the plant's health, control its size, and promote denser foliage. Regular pruning also improves air circulation, which reduces the risk of pests and fungal infections, making it a more robust and attractive feature in your garden.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Grass
Life Cycle
Annual
Genus
Phalaris
Family
Poaceae
Hardiness Zone
7-10
Mature Height
30 cm to 91 cm
Mature Spread
20 cm to 40 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Semi-evergreen
Flower Size
0.51 cm to 1.02 cm
Bloom Time
Early summer, Mid summer
Planting Time
Spring
Harvest Time
Mid summer, Late summer
Native Area
Libya, Egypt, Turkey, India, United Arab Emirates, Montenegro, Pakistan, Slovenia, Morocco, Croatia, Yemen, Iraq, Qatar, Portugal, France, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, Cyprus, Armenia, Greece, Lebanon, Serbia, Afghanistan, Syria, Italy, Spain, Israel, Iran, Albania, Azerbaijan, Algeria, Turkmenistan

Tags (5)

Common Names (10)

en Paradoxa grass
en Paradoxical Canary grass
en Awned Canary grass
en Bristle-spike Canary grass
en Hooded Canary grass
en Variable Canary grass
en Mediterranean Canary Grass
en Hood canarygrass
en Awned canarygrass
en Paradox Canary Grass