Invasives_Content Page_Ribbon grass

Ribbon grass or gardener's garters

Phalaris arundinacea var. picta

Photo of ribbon grass
Photo credit: Andrey Korzun

Ribbon grass is 2-9 feet tall. The stem is hairless and stands erect—one of the first grasses to sprout in the spring.

Restricted (orange) counties
Restricted (orange) counties

Classification in Wisconsin: Restricted (this restriction does not include the parent type - reed canary grass)

Ecological Threat
  • It forms dense, persistent monospecific stands in wetlands, moist meadows, and riparian areas that outcompete desirable native plants.
  • Reed canary grass dominates a significant number of wetlands in the Midwest.
Identification

Leaves: Blades are flat and have a rough texture on both surfaces. Leaf blades gradually taper from the base to the tip and are 4-8 inches long and about ½ inch wide. The ligule is unusually large—up to ½ inch long. The top leaves are horizontal.

Flowers: Densely clustered single florets that are green to purple when in bloom (May to mid-June) and turn golden tan as seeds form. The flower branches spread during bloom but draw close to the stem at maturity.

Fruits & seeds: Ripen in late June. Seeds can germinate immediately at maturation. They were dispersed via waterways, animals, humans, and machines.

Roots: Rhizomes with many dormant buds create a thick fibrous mat at or just below the soil surface.

Similar species: Reed canary grass closely resembles orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata; non-native) and native bluejoint grass (Calamagrostis canadensis). Reed canary grass leaves are broader than orchard grass leaves. Reed canary grass has a transparent ligule and bluejoint does not.

Control
Mechanical:
  • Small patches may be hand pulled, dug or covered with black plastic for at least one growing season.
  • Close mowing three times per year can effectively retard growth and prevent seed set.
  • Late spring or fall burns for 5 to 6 years may be effective.
  • Soil can also be tilled repeatedly for at least one growing season or the sod can be removed by bulldozer or bobcat making sure to go 8-18” down.
  • Combining these methods over a couple of years may be necessary to eliminate a stand.
Chemical:
  • Small scattered clones can be controlled by tying stems together just before flowering, cutting off and bagging stems, and applying glyphosate to the cut stems.
  • Foliar spray with a solution of glyphosate formulated for use over water.
  • Grass-specific herbicides, like sethoxydim and fluazifop-p-butyl, can be used in non-aquatic environments.
  • The herbicide imazapic is effective for long-term control.
Resources
Sources for content: Links for More Information