Common Reed   (Phragmites australis) 

DESCRIPTION

Common reed is a tall, native, warm-season, perennial, sod-forming grass. The culms are erect, rigid, smooth, and hollow. They may be nearly 1 inch (2.5 cm) in diameter and from 6 to 13 feet (2-4 m) tall, terminating in a 12-inch-long (30 cm) dense panicle. Leaves arise from the culm and are mostly 10 to 20 inches long (25-50 cm) and 0.4 to 2 inches (1-5 cm) wide. Common reed has an extensive rhizome network and occasionally produces stolons as well. Rhizome depth has been variously reported: (1) 18 to 39 inches (40-100 cm); (2) mostly between 4 and 12 inches (10-30 cm), but up to 39 inches (100 cm); and (3) mostly between 8 and 39 inches (20-100 cm), but up to 78 inches (200 cm). Roots grow down to a depth of about 3.3 feet (1 m). Flowering: July-September. Field Marks: This grass is distinguished by its huge stature, up to 12 feet tall, and its large panicle of spikelets. Habitat: Along streams, around ponds, sloughs, reclaimed stripmine areas. Habit: Robust perennial herb with stout, creeping rhizomes, forming dense colonies. Stems: Erect, smooth, up to 12 feet tall. Leaves: Flat, elongated, smooth, up to 2 1/2 inches broad. Flowers: 3-7 flowers per spikelet, with many spikelets arranged in a large, dense, much-branched panicle up to 1 1/4 feet long; spikelets 3/4 inch long, bearing numerous silky hairs.

Credit: Common Reed (Phragmites australis), Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, USGS

(Source: 1. Common Reed (Phragmites australis), Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, USGS, http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/othrdata/plntguid/species/phraaust.htm; 2. Phragmites australis Information: Fire Effects Information System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/phraus/)

Common reed can be considered a natural component of some undisturbed wetlands. However, the invasive strain grows aggressively in areas that are disturbed or stressed by pollution, dredging or other alteration of the natural hydrologic regime. Invasive stands of common reed grass eliminate diverse wetland plant communities, providing little food or shelter for wildlife.

On the contrary, common reed is considered in many areas as a valuable economic entity. It can be used in building houses by creating a thatched roof. It is often used as a craft material for projects such as weaving mats or baskets as well as rope-making. It has been used medicinally as a diuretic and as a source of cellulose. It can also be used for food for humans, cattle, and horses.  

(source from:1. Invasive Plants of Ohio Fact Sheets, Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/dnap/non_native/InvasiveFactSheet5.pdf) 

(Source: Phragmites australis (Common Reed): Invasive Plant Council of New York State, http://www.ipcnys.org/ipc_twentycr.html) 

Common reed is declared noxious in the following U.S. states and Canadian provinces: New Hampshire, and South Carolina.
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Chemical Control 
Herbicide application with Accord, Rodeo or Glypro is most effective in the early fall, after tasseling, and should be applied at least two years in a row. Fusilade DX, a grass specific herbicide can be applied in non-aquatic areas. Methods of application will depend on the associated plant community but may include aerial spraying, hand-held or backpack sprayers and hand-wicking. 

(source from:1. Invasive Plants of Ohio Fact Sheets, Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/dnap/non_native/InvasiveFactSheet5.pdf)  

Common Reed (Phragmites australis), Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center, USGS
    http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/othrdata/plntguid/species/phraaust.htm
This site includes a brief biological description of Common reed.

Phragmites australis Information: Fire Effects Information System, U.S. Department of Agriculture
    http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/phraus/
This site includes the following descriptions of common reed: Introductory, Distribution and Occurrence, Value and Use, Botanical and Ecological Characteristics, Fire Ecology, Fire Effects, and References. 

Phragmites australis: Natural Resources Conservation Service 
    http://plants.usda.gov/cgi_bin/plant_profile.cgi?symbol=PHAU7
This site includes very useful academic information (characteristics, plant classification, references) and distribution maps by state

Phragmites australis, Center for New Crops & Plant Products (Source: James A. Duke. 1983. Handbook of Energy Crops. unpublished)
    http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Phragmites_australis.html
This site provide very detailed information about common reed's uses, folk medicine, chemistry, general description, distribution, ecology, cultivation, harvesting, biotic Factors, references, and so on.

Phragmites australis (Common Reed): Wildland Invasive Species Program
    http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/phraaust.html
This site contains three documents and useful images.

Phragmites australis (Common Reed): Invasive Plant Council of New York State 
    http://www.ipcnys.org/ipc_twentycr.html
This page introduce common reed as one of top 20 invasive plants in NYS. Brief information about Biology, Habitat, Origin, Problems, NY Range and Spread are included in this site.

Element Stewardship Abstract for Phragmites australis, Common Reed

: The Nature Conservancy  (File format: Adobe Acrobat

Link   http://tncweeds.ucdavis.edu/esadocs/documnts/phraaus.html
This abstract describes very detailed information about common reed's general description, natural history condition management/monitoring.   

Phragmites Student-Teacher-Scientist Partnership (STSP): the biological control of non-indigenous plant species, Cornell University.

Link   http://www.invasiveplants.net/phragmites/Default.htm
This (STSP) is an opportunity for middle through college level science teachers and their students to participate in a long-term research project studying the insects living in and on the wetland plant species - Phragmites australis (also known as common reed).