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Phalaris (grass)
Encyclopedia
Phalaris is a genus of grass
es. Various species of Phalaris grow on every continent 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.
, which, in sheep, can cause brain damage, other organ damage, central nervous system
damage and death.
Phalaris arundinacea and Phalaris aquatica
, as well as Phalaris brachystachys
, are known to contain the alkaloids N,N-DMT
, 5-MeO-DMT
, and 5-OH-DMT
.
Some research has been done into the variability of alkaloids in the Phalaris grasses. Strains with high levels of alkaloids are best avoided in locations with grazing cattle and sheep, due to potential toxicity. Such high-alkaloid strains include Phalaris Aquatica AQ-1 and the species Phalaris brachystachys
. Seasonal and weather patterns also appear to affect alkaloid concentration, as most toxicity occurs in autumn and in times of drought. Regrowth after grazing or mowing also shows a considerable increase in alkaloids.
None of the above alkaloids are said to have been found in P. californica, P. canariensis, P. minor and hybrids of P. arundinacea together with P. aquatica.
.
include:
Grass
Grasses, or more technically graminoids, are monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the "true grasses", of the Poaceae family, as well as the sedges and the rushes . The true grasses include cereals, bamboo and the grasses of lawns ...
es. Various species of Phalaris grow on every continent 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
Some Phalaris species contain gramineGramine
Gramine is a naturally occurring indole alkaloid present in several plant species. Gramine may play a defensive role in these plants, since it is toxic to many organisms.-Occurrence:...
, which, in sheep, can cause brain damage, other organ damage, central nervous system
Central nervous system
The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that integrates the information that it receives from, and coordinates the activity of, all parts of the bodies of bilaterian animals—that is, all multicellular animals except sponges and radially symmetric animals such as jellyfish...
damage and death.
Phalaris arundinacea and Phalaris aquatica
Phalaris aquatica
Phalaris aquatica, syn. P. tuberosa, known by the common names Bulbous canarygrass and Harding grass, is a species of grass in the genus Phalaris of the Poaceae Family.-Description:...
, as well as Phalaris brachystachys
Phalaris brachystachys
Originally from Portugal, Phalaris brachystachys is an annual grass with growth habits and cultural requirements similar to Phalaris aquatica. It grows most actively during the spring and fall, while resting during the heat of midsummer and the short cool days of winter...
, are known to contain the alkaloids N,N-DMT
Dimethyltryptamine
N,N-Dimethyltryptamine is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound of the tryptamine family. DMT is found in several plants, and also in trace amounts in humans and other mammals, where it is originally derived from the essential amino acid tryptophan, and ultimately produced by the enzyme INMT...
, 5-MeO-DMT
5-MeO-DMT
5-MeO-DMT is a powerful psychedelic tryptamine. It is found in a wide variety of plant and psychoactive toad species and, like its close relatives DMT and bufotenin , it has been used as an entheogen by South American shamans for thousands of years.-Chemistry:5-MeO-DMT was first synthesized in...
, and 5-OH-DMT
Bufotenin
Bufotenin , or 5-hydroxy-dimethyltryptamine , is a tryptamine related to the neurotransmitter serotonin...
.
Some research has been done into the variability of alkaloids in the Phalaris grasses. Strains with high levels of alkaloids are best avoided in locations with grazing cattle and sheep, due to potential toxicity. Such high-alkaloid strains include Phalaris Aquatica AQ-1 and the species Phalaris brachystachys
Phalaris brachystachys
Originally from Portugal, Phalaris brachystachys is an annual grass with growth habits and cultural requirements similar to Phalaris aquatica. It grows most actively during the spring and fall, while resting during the heat of midsummer and the short cool days of winter...
. Seasonal and weather patterns also appear to affect alkaloid concentration, as most toxicity occurs in autumn and in times of drought. Regrowth after grazing or mowing also shows a considerable increase in alkaloids.
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| Phalaris aquatica Phalaris aquatica Phalaris aquatica, syn. P. tuberosa, known by the common names Bulbous canarygrass and Harding grass, is a species of grass in the genus Phalaris of the Poaceae Family.-Description:... |
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| Phalaris arundinacea | |
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| Phalaris brachystachys Phalaris brachystachys Originally from Portugal, Phalaris brachystachys is an annual grass with growth habits and cultural requirements similar to Phalaris aquatica. It grows most actively during the spring and fall, while resting during the heat of midsummer and the short cool days of winter... |
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None of the above alkaloids are said to have been found in P. californica, P. canariensis, P. minor and hybrids of P. arundinacea together with P. aquatica.
Uses
Some species are used in dried flower arrangements. Phalaris canariensis is commonly used for birdseedBird food
Bird food is food eaten by birds. Humans generally make or buy bird food to feed to pet birds or use in birdfeeders. Birdfood can be natural or commercial...
.
Species
SpeciesSpecies
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
include:
- Phalaris amethystina Trin.
- Phalaris angustaPhalaris angustaPhalaris angusta is a species of grass known by the common names timothy canarygrass and narrow canarygrass. It is native to the Americas, where it is most common in Chile and Argentina and can be found in northern South America and sections of the southwestern and southeastern United States. It is...
- timothy canarygrass - Phalaris aquaticaPhalaris aquaticaPhalaris aquatica, syn. P. tuberosa, known by the common names Bulbous canarygrass and Harding grass, is a species of grass in the genus Phalaris of the Poaceae Family.-Description:...
- bulbous canarygrass, Harding grass, Hardinggrass, =Phalaris tuberosa - Phalaris arundinacea - reed canary grass, reed canarygrass
- Phalaris brachystachysPhalaris brachystachysOriginally from Portugal, Phalaris brachystachys is an annual grass with growth habits and cultural requirements similar to Phalaris aquatica. It grows most actively during the spring and fall, while resting during the heat of midsummer and the short cool days of winter...
- shortspike canarygrass - Phalaris californicaPhalaris californicaPhalaris californica is an uncommon species of grass known by the common name California canarygrass. It is native to the coastal hills and mountains of southern Oregon and northern and central California, where it grows mainly in moist areas, such as meadows. It is a perennial grass reaching...
- California canarygrass - Phalaris canariensisCanary grassCanary Grass is a plant, Phalaris canariensis, belonging to the family Poaceae. Originally a native of the Mediterranean region, it is now grown commercially in several parts of the world for birdseed, hence the name. This large, coarse grass has erect, hairless stems, usually from 2 to 6 feet ...
- annual canarygrass, common canary grass, common canarygrass - Phalaris carolinianaPhalaris carolinianaPhalaris caroliniana is a species of grass known by the common names Carolina canarygrass and maygrass. It is native to the southeastern United States, and it can be found as a naturalized species along the southern half of the United States to the west coast, as well as northern Mexico and parts...
- Carolina canarygrass, "maygrass", see Eastern Agricultural ComplexEastern Agricultural ComplexThe Eastern Agricultural Complex describes the agricultural practices of the pre-historic Eastern Woodland Native Americans in the eastern United States and Canada. Native Americans domesticated and cultivated many indigenous crops as far west as the Great Plains.-Term:The term Eastern Agricultural...
- Phalaris coerulescensPhalaris coerulescensPhalaris coerulescens is a plant in the Poaceae family.-External links:*...
- sunolgrass - Phalaris commutata
- Phalaris elongata Braun-Blanq.
- Phalaris lemmoniiPhalaris lemmoniiPhalaris lemmonii is an uncommon species of grass known by the common name Lemmon's canarygrass. It is endemic to California, where it can be found in coastal and inland mountain ranges and the Central Valley. It grows mainly in moist areas. It is an annual grass reaching maximum heights between...
- Lemmon's canarygrass - Phalaris minorPhalaris minorPhalaris minor is a species of grass native to northern Africa, Europe and Asia, and widely naturalised elsewhere.Common names include little seed canary grass, small-seeded canary grass, small canary grass and lesser canary grass....
- canarygrass, littleseed canarygrass - Phalaris paradoxaPhalaris paradoxaPhalaris paradoxa is a species of grass in genus Phalaris.The spikelets are very different from those of other members of this genus. The spiklet glumes each have a hook....
- hood canarygrass - Phalaris platensis Henrard ex Wacht.
- Phalaris truncata Guss. ex Bertol.