Pond Boss Forums AQUATIC VEGETATION Identifying plants What is this grass in my pond?

Hi all,

This is the first year of my pond and I have the grass growing on the shore and out to about 2 feet deep.





It seems tough and pretty hearty. The field where I dug the pond used to have standing water part of the year and I am wondering if this is left over from then. What is it and should I worry about it taking over my shoreline?

Hi Coach B:
I don't know what it is, but someone else will. I dug out a bunch of grass yesterday that was growing in my sand (buffer zone) around my plants yesterday, and was it ever tough to get out, I don't know what it was, but it was purple at the very base of it. I think if I waited much longer it would have been really impossible. I planted some annual rye grass last year to hold the eroded/reclaimed sand in place while my plants got established, and that funky grass must have either (1) been in the seed mixture, or (2) been there all along, only smaller.

that is exactly my situation. It does have a purple to redish part at the base. I also planted annual rye in the area. mine is growing in two feet of water as well, which makes me think it was from the previous wetland.

Looks like some sort of spike rush, but I really don't know!

I am going to try to post a close up.

Coach B:
The roots of the grass I got out were quite long and thin in texture, but thick in clumps, had to really dig deep to get it out.
Loosening the soil and trying to pull it out did not work. It was growing into the roots of other good plants that I planted, I had to dig some up, get it out, and replant the plants. Surely, it was a great example of something invasive, and how plants prevent erosion. No chance here to use a chemical as other good plants would be killed in the process. You can probably use a herbicide on yours in your situation.

Here is a better picture of the grass. It has a strong root base that is clumped. for the little that we had, it had lots of roots.



here is a picture from May of last year in the same area before we dug the pond. I think the large clumps of grass are the same.



Here is a picture of the same area in mid summer. I think the tall grass is the same, but I don't know.


I hope that helps with identifying.

opps!! messed up on the mid summer picture. here it is

It looks kind of like Reeds Canary Grass.(Phalaris arundinacea L.) It was actually introduced here in Iowa by the NRCS in CRP contracts, and it was later determined to be too agressive as it choked out the native grasses. Another transplant gone bad! That would be my best guess though

Brian:
I have the striped version of Reed Canary Grass (Ribbon Grass), growing elsewhere, I am going to dig it out, will check and see if the root system is the same as the green grass. I would get rid of it ASAP.

okay, if it is canary grass, how to I get rid of it? it is currently right on the edge of my summer shoreline. If I go and dig it out, I will destroy the edge of the pond. I like the way it looks in the summer, is there a way to control and tame it? It looks like it would be a good barrier to keep geese away.

I can't answer that question, just think it might be invasive, if it is it will not be good.

Glyphosphate (same active ingredient in Roundup) will kill pretty much everything green and leafy. There are various glyphosphate labelled for aquatic use, I think the main difference in the aquatic types is the surfactant used.

Ok so I did alittle research on the control of Reeds Canarygrass if that is what it actually is. I have listed the suggested mechanical/chemical methods that could work. Ryan was right on with the Glyphosate. I also think that this would make a good barrier for geese, as they usually don't like to walk to far in anything thick and over their heads.

Mechanical
Consecutive annual burns spring or fall
Mowing mid-June and October to reduce seed and encourage native species
Frequent cultivation followed by fall seeding

Chemical
Application of glyphosate (Rodeo)
Preliminary research indicates that fall chemical application may be most effective

Here is the website I got this info from, there is more on there.
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/invasives/terrestrialplants/grasses/reedcanarygrass.html

Coach B:
Don't know where you are but there is a Michigan Lakes & Streams conference this Friday and Saturday at Houghton Lake.
JF New Co. usually has a booth there-they are on the west side of the state near Muskegon, they specialize in lots of plants, and aquatic restorations. We met the rep there last year, and although he is not with them anymore and in a different field, we are going up early to meet the DNR people and he is supposed to meet us.
Some grasses that they suggested to me are: Prarie Cord Grass, Soft Rush, and Brown Fox Sedge. You can call them and get a catalog mailed to you: Ask for Jason, 574-586-3689 or try email: sales@jfnew.com.
I got an e-mail from the other guy last year that said DO NOT PLANT THE REED CANARY GRASS (in the same tone of "Do Not Seek The Treasure" in Oh Brother Where Art Thou.

TJ, Thanks for the info and links. My concern is always spraying around the pond. It looks like I have to get it out of there. What is the best around water and is strong enough to get this? It seems awfully tough. We tried to pull some, and it wouldn't budge.

2catmom, I would love to make it there, but with the 80 degree temps, we will spend all weekend working on plantings around the pond. I am just South of you off of us 23 bu about 6 miles.

I will call and request a catalog. We have also started to work with a place called Grass Roots Nursery. I thought about taking a clump down to them and letting them look at it. Based on what I have read, I am pretty sure it is Canary Grass. Just don't know if it is native or not. It sounds like it doesn't matter either way.

I think it would be best to get it out. It is very strong! It actually works by choking out other plants via an extensive underground rooting system. I know when I worked for the NRCS we actually planted a plot of live willows within them on the streambank. The willows choke them out pretty quickly, but this will also hinder any fishing access for you in these spots. I am not sure what herbicide works well for them besides the glyphosphate...Maybe someone else knows?

Why is it a problem? Looks like a good plant to keep down shore erosion and I could see fish spawning around it.

That was my initial thought. but people have said that it will spread around the pond and choke out anything else we plant. I do like the way it looks. If I get feedback that says I can control its locations, I would love to keep it. It holds the shoreline very well. Does anyone have a case of controling it?

2catmom:

My sister works @ JFNew in Walkerton, IN, that's where you are calling when you call 574-586-.... the main switchboard # is 574-586-3400.

The nursery is at the most 6 miles North of my place, and the office is another mile and a half away.