common reed

Common reed is a tall, perennial, aquatic plant. It is common and widespread, occuring worldwide on every continent except Antarctica. In North America it occurs in every U.S. state except Hawaii and in every Canadian province except Nunavut. It is very common in Minnesota, where it has been recorded in 84 of the state’s 87 counties.

Common reed is found in or near shallow water in a variety of aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats: in wetlands, including swamps, marshes, bogs, and wet prairies; on beaches and on the margins of ponds and rivers; in gravel pits and large drainage ditches. It grows under full sun in wet conditions in rich soil.

There are four generally recognized subspecies of Phragmites australis, three of which occur in North America. Two are native, one has been introduced and is now widely naturalized.

Common reed is an important species for wetland ecosystems, providing habitat and food for a variety of organisms, including birds, insects, and fish. It also has a role in stabilizing wetland soils and preventing erosion. However, in some areas, its has become invasive. It grows in dense stands that can outcompete native plant species, reducing biodiversity and altering wetland ecosystems. Once established, it can be difficult to eradicate.

Common reed is a 3½″ to 16½″ (1 to 5 m) tall, aquatic or semi-aquatic plant. Though called a reed, it is acutally a grass.

The root system is extensive and can be up to 9¾′ (3 m) deep.

The stem is erect, hollow, unbranched, round in cross section, and 3⁄16″ to ⅝″ (5 to 15 mm) thick.

The leaves are linear to lance-linear, flat, drooping, 8″ to 24″ (20 to 60 cm) long, and 5⁄16″ to 1¼″ (8 to 32 mm) wide.

The inflorescence is a single, large, dense, plume-like cluster of flowers at the end of the stem.

Each flower is pruplish-brown and about ⅜″ (1 cm) in length.

Each plant produces 1,500 to 2,000 seeds.

Sources

2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 22, 24, 28, 29, 30.