Sspont_Flowers_landscape (IMAGE) Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute Caption Because its tiny seeds blow in the wind, canal grass readily invades clearings and spreads to form impenetrable stands. Its white flowers and its historical association with the Panama Canal area inspired the common names paja blanca or paja canalera for this sugarcane relative, Saccharum spontaneum L.. Credit Kristin Saltonstall Usage Restrictions Please credit Kristin Saltonstall License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.