Reed Canary Grass

Reed canary grass is a rhizomatous perennial grass. It has been used for erosion control and a grass forage crop in agriculture, however, it also poses a significant threat to the New York's wetlands.

Like most invasive plants, reed canary grass is capable of dominating areas where it becomes established, crowding out native vegetation and altering the area's diversity for both plant and animal life. The dense growth characteristic this plant causes a number of problems. As stands thicken they can impede the flow in watercourses, leading to siltation and eventual loss of habitat for native species of plants and animals.

Once reed canary grass is established, control or eradication is very difficult. Therefore early detection and removal is very important.

Not All Alien Invaders are from Outer Space

The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has created an interactive Web page that teaches you about 16 uninvited species that are destroying our natural resources and threatening U.S. ecosystems.

Interim Invasive Plant Species Lists Compiled by USDA NRCS New York

Herbaceous and Woody Species

September 18, 2009 - USDA NRCS New York has compiled an interim list of invasive species of herbaceous and woody plants until an official list is released.

Information Resources

The links below will help you learn more about:

• distribution of reed canary grass in the United States

• recognizing reed canary grass on your property

• growth habits of reed canary grass

• eradication and control of reed canary grass

• other nuisance and invasive plant species

Biological Invasions: Economic and Environmental Costs of Alien Plant, Animal, and Microbes Species
This Cornell University News article discusses a book edited and co-authored by Cornell University ecologist David Pimentel which serves as a non-fictional account of introduced species' destructive impact.

Invasive Plant Council of New York State (IPCNYS)
The purpose of the Invasive Plant Council of New York State is to provide an information clearinghouse for invasive plant identification, research and management.

Invasive Species - USDA NRCS Plant Materials Program

Web Sites with information specific to Reed Canary Grass

Invasive Plants Association of Wisconsin

Invasive Plant Atlas of New England (IPANE)

Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States

Macalester College, Minnesota

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

USDA NRCS Plants Database

These documents require Acrobat Reader.

Reed Canary Grass Plant Guide (PDF; 185 KB)
USDA NRCS

Reed Canary Grass - Weed of the Week (PDF; 84 KB)
USDA Forest Service

Please visit our Nuisance and Invasive Animal Species pages to learn about animals that directly impact New York State.

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