Scientific name: Phragmites australis

 

Physical Characteristics

Leaves:

  • Blades flat
  • 0.39-1.5 inches wide

Flowers:

  • Loose, branching cluster
  • Spikelets few-flowered

Stem:

  • Hollow stem
  • 3-9 feet tall
  • 0.2-0.59 inches thick

 

Where Does it Grow?

Common reed can be found in marshes, along rivers, at stream sides and canal banks.

 

Pros and Cons of Common Reed

Many species of birds utilize common reed seeds and use the plant’s thick colonies for shelter. Submerged portions of all aquatic plants provide habitats for many micro and macro invertebrates. These invertebrates in turn are used as food by fish and other wildlife species (e.g. amphibians, reptiles, ducks, etc). After aquatic plants die, their decomposition by bacteria and fungi provides food (called “detritus”) for many aquatic invertebrates.

 

USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 28 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.

 

Information and photos courtesy of AquaPlant A Diagnostics Tool for Pond Plants and Algae.