Phragmites australis (Common reed)

Qmwaisow® Species Leaflet Phragmites australis (Common Reed) Initial Introduction and Expansion in Range Until recently, the status of Phragmites australis as a non-native or native species to North America has been in dispute. Current research confirms the existence of native North American haplotypes (family lines or lineages) and introduced European haplotypes. Peat core analyses in coastal areas indicate that the native P. australis has been a component of mixed tidal wetland plant communities in North America for at least 3,000 years. The non-native P. australis was probably an accidental introduction in ballast material from ships in the late 18th or early 19th centuries. Over the course of the 20th century, this plant has spread across the continent invading fresh and brackish marshes and displacing native mixed communities with near monocultures. Phragmites australis can spread by seed dispersal and vegetatively by fragments of rhizomes that break off and are transported elsewhere. Non-native P. australis is capable of vigorous vegetative reproduction and can quickly take over a marsh community. This invasion is causing serious problems for many native North American wetland plants and has resulted in changed ecosystem processes and detrimental impacts to native wildlife. Generalist bird species such as red-winged blackbirds will roost in P. australis, but specialist bird species will not use marsh habitat that has been taken over by this plant. In Europe, P. australis is grown commercially and is used for thatching, as fodder for livestock, and for cellulose production. The decline of this plant in parts of Europe is causing concern because of its economic importance and because ecological degradation is thought to be the cause of this decline. In North America, there is no known economic use for P. australis, and it thrives in degraded habitats. Description and Biology • Tall, perennial, wetland grass ranging in height from 3to 13 feet. • Strong, leathery rhizomes growing on or beneath the ground surface. • Cane-like stems are green during the growing season and turn tan by fall. • Leaves are alternately arranged, flat and hairless, up to 24 inches long, 0.5 to 2 inches wide, tapering to a point at their ends. • Large, dense, feather-like, 5 to 12 inches long, grayish purple plumes appear on top of the stem by late June.