reed canary grass

noun

See under canary grass.

Origin of reed canary grass

First recorded in 1750–60

Words nearby reed canary grass

reebok, reecho, reechy, reed, reed bunting, reed canary grass, reed grass, reed instrument, reed mace, reed organ, reed pipe

Definition for reed canary grass (2 of 2)

canary grass

noun

any of various grasses of the genus Phalaris, as P. canariensis, native to the Canary Islands, bearing seed used as food for cage birds, or P. arundinacea (reed canary grass), used throughout the Northern Hemisphere as fodder.

Origin of canary grass

First recorded in 1660–70

British Dictionary definitions for reed canary grass

canary grass

noun

any of various grasses of the genus Phalaris, esp P. canariensis, that is native to Europe and N Africa and has straw-coloured seeds used as birdseed
reed canary grass a related plant, Phalaris arundinacea, used as fodder throughout the N hemisphere