| Phalaris caroliniana | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Genus: | Phalaris |
| Species: | P. caroliniana |
| Binomial name | |
| Phalaris caroliniana | |
Phalaris caroliniana is a species of grass known as Carolina canarygrass and maygrass.
It is native to the southern United States, [1] and it can be found as a naturalized species along the west coast of the United States, [2] as well as northern Mexico and parts of Europe and Australia.[ citation needed ] It is most often found in moist to wet habitats, such as marshy meadows, and it can thrive in disturbed areas. It is an annual grass reaching a maximum height between 1 and 1.5 m (3.3 and 4.9 ft). The hairy inflorescence is roughly oval in shape and up to 7 cm (2.8 in) long by 2 cm (0.79 in) wide.
This grass probably made up part of the Eastern Agricultural Complex of plants cultivated by pre-Columbian Native Americans in the United States. Its grains have been identified in archaeological sites from Texas to Indiana to Alabama which may be four millennia old. [3] Laboratory analysis of the grass seed indicates that it is quite nutritious, with a good amount of vitamins and minerals. [4]