Common Reed

(Phragmites australis)

 

 

Common reed (Phragmites australis) is an aggressive member of the grass family. This species is unique in that it has both native and non-native (invasive) strains. It is believed that the non-native strain of common reed arrived in the ballast water of ships from Europe.

 

Characteristics

 

Common reed is a tall perennial grass that ranges from 1.5 to 5 meters (5 – 16 ft) in height. The leaves are long and narrow and can reach lengths of 60 centimeters (24 in) and widths of 5 centimeters (2 in). Leaves are alternate on the stalks, they narrow to a long sharp point at the tip and also taper towards the stem, they are dark blue-green in colour during the growing season and tan in the fall before falling off for the winter.  The stems are erect, very rigid and hollow, while the native strain has a more flexible, smooth, shiny stem.  Native common reed stems are red to brown in the summer and spring while the non-native species have tan stems.  The plant produces a plume of flower spikes at the top 15-30 cm

(6-12 in) long.

 

 

Distribution

 

Common reed has an almost world wide distribution, with established populations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.  It is believed to have been brought to North America in the 1800s along the Atlantic coast by the plant remains left on the ships and spread across the rest of the continent throughout the 1900s.

 

In Ontario, the distribution of common reed is widespread along the lower Great Lakes with most sightings occurring along the Ontario/U.S. border. It is commonly found in marshes, lakeshores, ponds, roadsides, ditches and fields.

 

Common reed is often planted as an ornamental grass.  A single plant can produce as many as 2000 seeds. Although the viability of seeds are considered rather low they can still develop new populations.  Seed transport occurs along roads and waterways; either by water or by wind.  Mature plants reproduce vegetatively from underground stems that run out horizontally from the parent plant. The most common means of spread is from fragments of rhizomes that are carried on road maintenance equipment. Common reed is also tolerant of salty conditions that often kill other grasses. As a result, the spreading of road salt may actually promote its growth along roadsides over other plant species.  Once established this plant spreads rapidly.  

 

 Download the Common Reed distribution map

 

Impacts

 

Common reed builds up dense monoculture stands that out-compete native wetland plants, alter water levels, decrease the size of open water habitats within wetlands and block sunlight to the underlying plant community. 

 

The invasion of the alien form of common reed has occurred on a scale that is comparable to other wetland invaders such as purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), and it is still expanding its invasive range. The accumulation of leaf litter from previous years growth also limits the potential for other native plants to take hold.

 

Prevention/Control

 

Few control methods used alone are effective in controlling the spread of common reed.  Control methods vary from site to site depending on the conditions but it is likely that combinations of methods will be needed to control this plant, including herbicides, mowing, disking, dredging, flooding, draining, burning and grazing.   Using herbicides as an initial control method and then following up with another method as mentioned above is recommended over subsequent years. Current research into the possibilities of biological control is on going.

 

Prevention is the best method to stop the spread of Common reed or other invasive plants.  To learn more please visit our prevention section.

 

Follow the link below for more information on the control and management of invasive Phragmites. *Please note that the report was created in Michigan and the herbicides mentioned cannot be sprayed in or near water or wetlands in Ontario.  

A guide to the control and management of invasive phragmites. 

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/deq/deq-ogl-ais-guide-PhragBook-Email_212418_7.pdf

 

Consult the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs’ Guide to weed control 2008-2009 (publication 75) for information on herbicide regulations in Ontario at: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/pub75/pub75toc.htm