Report of two distinct ribotypes in ITS sequences of Phalaris arundinacea (Poaceae) in western Canada and Alaska

Phalaris arundinacea L. (reed canary grass) is a widely occurring grass throughout the Northern Hemisphere. In North America, it thought to consist of introduced agricultural forms from Europe as well native populations. During survey in western Canada, we discovered two distinct ribotypes sequences internal transcribed spacer (ITS) nuclear ribosomal DNA: one full length (ITS-long) and with seven base pair deletion (ITS-short). addition, ITS-long plants have fixed heterozygosity indicating possible polyploidy. Phylogenetic analysis reveals that ITS-short unique ribotype characterises an intraspecific clade. We designed efficient PCR-based assay allows sizing 238/245 fragment capillary sequencer. This approach provides novel marker could be useful future surveys .