Phalaris (plant)
| Phalaris | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Phalaris aquatica | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Supertribe: | Poodae |
| Tribe: | Poeae |
| Subtribe: | Phalaridinae Fr. |
| Genus: | Phalaris L. |
| Species | |
|
15-22 species (see text) | |
Phalaris is a genus of flowering plants in the grass family. Species of Phalaris are distributed across all continents except Antarctica. They can be found in a broad range of habitats from below sea level to thousands of feet above sea level and from wet marshy areas to dry places. P. arundinacea and P. aquatica are sometimes invasive species in wetlands.
Alkaloids
Several Phalaris species—notably Phalaris aquatica and Phalaris arundinacea—produce bioactive indole alkaloids, including DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, bufotenin, gramine, tyramines and trace β-carbolines.
| Species | Total alkaloids (dry weight) | Primary alkaloids |
|---|---|---|
| Phalaris aquatica | 0.0007–0.18% | DMT, 5-MeO-DMT, 5-OH-DMT |
| Phalaris arundinacea | 0.0004–0.121% | Gramine, DMT, 5-MeO-DMT |
| Phalaris brachystachys | Up to 3.0% | DMT |
Toxicity
Grazing on Phalaris-dominated pastures can cause livestock toxicoses:
- Phalaris staggers: A chronic neurological condition associated with ruminants grazing Phalaris containing toxic alkaloids; appropriate cobalt supplementation can reduce the risk of the staggers syndrome.
- Sudden death: Acute mortality caused by peracute ammonia toxicity from young shoot consumption; not preventable by cobalt.
Low-alkaloid cultivars are widely used to reduce grazing risk.
Uses
Phalaris species, particularly Phalaris aquatica and Phalaris arundinacea, are widely cultivated as forage and pasture fodder for livestock. Canary seed (Phalaris canariensis) is commercially grown as bird food and consumed as human food in certain regions. In non-clinical and in vitro research, seed extracts and biopeptides from P. canariensis have been investigated for potential antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties.
Species
Species include:
- Phalaris amethystina Trin.
- Phalaris angusta – timothy canarygrass
- Phalaris aquatica – bulbous canarygrass, Harding grass, Hardinggrass (syn. Phalaris tuberosa)
- Phalaris arundinacea – reed canary grass, reed canarygrass
- Phalaris brachystachys – shortspike canarygrass
- Phalaris californica – California canarygrass
- Phalaris canariensis – annual canarygrass, common canary grass, common canarygrass
- Phalaris caroliniana – Carolina canarygrass, maygrass, see Eastern Agricultural Complex
- Phalaris coerulescens – sunolgrass
- Phalaris commutata
- Phalaris elongata Braun-Blanq.
- Phalaris lemmonii – Lemmon's canarygrass
- Phalaris minor – canarygrass, littleseed canarygrass
- Phalaris paradoxa – hood canarygrass
- Phalaris platensis Henrard ex Wacht.
- Phalaris truncata Guss. ex Bertol.
References
- ↑ Alden, R.; Hackney, B. (2021). "Phalaris Toxicoses in Australian Livestock Systems". Veterinary Sciences. 8 (5): 83. doi:10.3390/vetsci8050083. PMC 8151118. PMID 34066010.
- ↑ Read, L.; et al. (2020). "Changes in field concentrations of five phalaris alkaloids and their association with toxicity in pastures of Victoria, Australia". Crop and Pasture Science. 71 (4): 389–400. doi:10.1071/CP19458 (inactive 31 August 2026).
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of August 2026 (link) - 1 2 3 "Phalaris staggers in livestock". NSW DPI. 28 October 2025. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- 1 2 3 4 "Phalaris and ryegrass poisoning in livestock". Agriculture Victoria. 15 May 2026. Retrieved 2026-08-30.
- ↑ Oram, R. N.; Culvenor, R. A.; Hopkins, A. A. (2009). "The first century of Phalaris aquatica L. cultivation and genetic improvement: a review". Crop and Pasture Science. 60 (1): 1–15. doi:10.1071/CP08170.
- ↑ Urbizo-Reyes, U.; Aguilar-Toalá, J. E.; Liceaga, A. (2021). "Hairless canary seeds (Phalaris canariensis L.) as a potential source of biopeptides". Food Production, Processing and Nutrition. 3: 6. doi:10.1186/s43014-020-00049-3.
- ↑ Estrada-Salas, P. A.; Montero-Morán, G. M.; Martínez-Cuevas, P. P. (2014). "Characterization of antidiabetic and antihypertensive properties of canary seed peptides". J. Agric. Food Chem. 62 (2): 427–433. doi:10.1021/jf4042805 (inactive 31 August 2026).
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of August 2026 (link) - ↑ Madrigales-Ahuatzi, D.; Perez-Gutierrez, R. M. (2016). "Evaluation of Anti-inflammatory Activity of Seeds of Phalaris canariensis". Drug Research. 66 (1): 23–27. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1550001. PMID 25830684.
- ↑ Kchaou, M.; Ben Salah, H.; Abdennabi, R. (2015). "Antioxidant, antibacterial and antiacetylcholinesterase activities of Phalaris canariensis". J. Pharmacogn. Phytochem. 4 (4): 242–249.
