canary grass

noun

1. 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.

canary grass

noun

1. 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
2. reed canary grass
   a related plant, Phalaris arundinacea, used as fodder throughout the N hemisphere

Word History and Origins

Origin of canary grass¹

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

A species of Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea) is also to be seen on sandy coasts.

From Project Gutenberg

The case is in fact similar to that of the oat and canary-grass.

From Project Gutenberg