?1798 P. A. Nemnich vi. 957 Ribband grass, arundo picta.
1847 A. Pratt (ed. 3) v. 72 This may be seen in the Phalaris arundinacea, or Riband grass; a plant sometimes cultivated in our gardens.
1905 J. W. Tutt I. 49 In confinement, riband-grass forms a useful substitute for the finer grasses.