Phalaris aquatica (hardinggrass)

Phalaris aquatica

Photo courtesy Joseph DiTomaso

Phalaris aquatica (hardinggrass) is a perennial grass (family Poaceae) found throughout California. Hardinggrass is widespread in California because it has been used as a forage species and for revegetating after fires. It is most common in coastal valley and foothill grasslands from Oregon to the Mexican border. It is also found in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys at elevations below 4,000 feet (1,200 m). Hardinggrass is typically found along roadsides that are seldom mowed, allowing this tall, erect, leafy plant to dominate neighboring vegetation. In wildland habitats, hardinggrass can out-compete and displace native plant species. Tall stands of its dry foliage can present a fire hazard in summer.

Cal-IPC Inventory rating: Moderate

Cal-IPC Resources on Phalaris aquatica

• California Invasive Plant Inventory Assessment Form (pdf) - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.
• Species account from Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands - Includes biology and management information.
• Cal-IPC News - Articles from our quarterly newsletter. (None for this species.)
• Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings - Presentations and papers from our annual Symposium. List of articles on Phalaris aquatica.
• California distribution map - Maps based on survey data from county Weed Management Areas. These maps are the product of those working in the field and are not intended to be definitive.

Cal-IPC News Articles

• None for this species.

Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings

• Alvarez, M., C. Colson, et al. (2008). Results from the use of a novel method, HydroMechanical Obliteration, at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in west Marin. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2008. Chico, CA, California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2008.
• Samuels, S., L. Julian, et al. (2008). Controlling an invasive grass in a grassland setting - Harding grass control in the Bald Hills of Redwood National and State Parks. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2008. Chico, CA, California Invasive Plant Council.
• Antonio, C. D. and J. Gerlach (2003). Annual grasses: Status of biology and control. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2003. Kings Beach, CA.
• Clines, J., J. DiTomaso, et al. (2004). Grasses working group. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2004. Ventura, CA.
• Corbin, J. D., M. Thomsen, et al. (2004). Out of the frying pan: Invasion of exotic perennial grasses in coastal prairies. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2004. Ventura, CA.
• Stafford, M., S. Farrell, et al. (2006). Control of Phalaris aquatica on lowland coastal terrace prairie in Richmond, CA. Cal-IPC Symposium. Rohnert Park, CA.
• Thomsen, C. D., W. A. Williams, et al. (1996). Yellow starthistle management with grazing, mowing, and competitive plantings. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium '96. San Diego, CA.

Other Resources on Phalaris aquatica

• USDA PLANTS database - Federal database with information on identification and distribution, and links to websites in individual states.
• Jepson Online Interchange for California Flora - Information on taxonomy, biology, and distribution from the UC Berkeley Jepson Herbarium.
• CalFlora - Distribution information by county based on submitted observations and herbarium specimens.
• The Nature Conservancy Management Summary - Information compiled by TNC land managers. Photos included for some species.
• CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
• Natural Resource Projects Inventory - State database with information on resource management projects throughout California. Query by the species of interest.

Printer-friendly version