15-22 species (see text) Phalaris is a genus of flowering plants in the grass family.

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 P. brachystachys.

Seasonal and weather patterns also appear to affect alkaloid concentration, as most toxicity occurs in autumn and in times of drought.

In June 2018, mobs of wild kangaroos were observed[3] suffering from "phalaris staggers" which causes head tremors, a loss of co-ordination and collapse.