Phalaris caroliniana

Identification tip: Similar to Alopecurus carolinianus, which has 3-5 mm awns on its lemma, while Phalaris caroliniana has no awns on its florets. The inflorescence is 2-4 times as long as broad differing from P. angusta which has an inflorescence that is at least 5 times as long as broad. Short leaf, < ½ inch wide, point straight up, green sheath. Ligule transparent, soft and weak, ¼ inch long. 1 pale green spike about 1 inch long.

Commercial seeds have a purity of 89% and a germination rate of 92%, 429,000 seeds/lb and a seeding rate of 10-15 lbs/acre.

The following information is for the genus Phalaris with indication that species in the West are of the most food value: Animals that eat its seed: Bobwhite quail, American pipit, Savannah sparrow, Abert's towhee (Martin et al. 1951). Provides fair spring forage for livestock and seed for wildlife.

The seeds of this species have been found stored in caves, along with other edible seeds, leading scholars to believe that the seeds were once used as food by early man. Little is known about how Native Americans used these seeds (Kindscher 1987). It is a cool-season annual and was probably an important food, ripening when few other plant foods were not available. It occurs frequently in disturbed areas throughout Louisiana and east Texas. It occurs in fallow fields, roadsides and disturbed sites throughout the southern United States.

Moist swales, sloughs, ditches, and prairies, roadsides, fallow fields, pastures, near creeks.