THE NATIVE STATUS OF REED CANARY GRASS (PHALARIS-ARUNDINACEA L.) IN THE INLAND NORTHWEST, USA

Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) can be invasive in wet habi tats and is often a target for control. There is no consensus on its n ative status in North America; published sources treat it as either ex otic or native. We examined the locations and habitats of early collec tions of reed canarygrass in the inland Northwest in the context of Eu ro-American settlement and early agronomic research. Early collectors found P. arundinacea along streams, lake margins, springs, and meadows . This species predates agronomic trials in the United States and was collected in remote areas before settlement. Modern populations of ree d canarygrass may be a mixture of agronomic cultivars and native mater ial.