Phalaris canariensis aka Seed Canary Grass

Phalaris canariensis is an annual grass in the Poaceae family. Its common names include canary grass and birdseed grass. Kew places its native range in Morocco and the Canary Islands. It grows in a subtropical climate within that range. It is not native to Britain or Ireland. Plants for a Future also records it across other regions. These include parts of Europe and North Africa. In Britain, it occurs as a casual plant on waste ground.

This grass reaches about 3.3 feet (1 metre) in height. It completes its life cycle as an annual, rather than persisting. Plants for a Future records leaves from May through October. Its flowering season runs from July through September. Each flower has both male and female organs. Wind carries the pollen between flowers. Its small seeds are the main reason people grow it. Growers raise it for both caged birds and wild bird food.

Give this grass an open site without shade. It grows in ordinary garden soil and needs little special care. Sandy ground, loam, and heavy clay can all support it. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline soils. Plants for a Future says it prefers moist or wet ground. The same source reports tolerance of both dry and wet conditions. Its wild habitats include dry, open ground. This gives gardeners some scope when choosing a growing site.

Suitable garden settings include cultivated beds and bog gardens. Sow seed straight into its growing site during spring. Plants for a Future lists USDA hardiness zones 5–9. It also gives a separate UK zone rating of 6. That rating does not use the RHS H-scale. Its annual habit remains important when reading these climate ratings. The source flags weed potential, so consider its place with care. It gives no named pest or disease problems for this species.

Plants for a Future lists cooked seeds and leaves as edible. The seeds can serve as a cereal for porridge. Grinding them makes flour for cakes and puddings. The leaf use concerns young plants, cooked before eating. The same source reports no known hazards. That statement does not establish safety for every person or animal. It lists no medicinal uses and no other uses beyond those described.