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Photo by Paul Rischmiller

Phragmites or Common Reed

COMMON NAME:

Phragmites or Common Reed

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Phragmites australis ssp. australis

ORIGIN:

Europe

DESCRIPTION:

Phragmites is a tall, herbaceous perennial ranging in height from 3-15 ft. Leaves and stems are stiff and sharp. Large, feathery plumes of flowers change from purple-brown in July, to tan-grey later in the season.

ECOLOGY
RESOURCES
DISTRIBUTION

HABITAT:

Phragmites thrives in wetlands, as well as in disturbed and degraded soils. It often establishes along roadsides, ditches or dredged areas. Phragmites can tolerate salt water and a pH range of 3.7-9. Both native and nonnative strains of Phragmites occur, although the native variety is quite uncommon in western New York.

THREAT:

Plants can spread through rhizomes, stolons and seed. Infestations can overtake hundreds of acres, displace critical wetland species and alter site hydrology.

MANAGEMENT:

Long-term management is necessary to control this persistent plant. Cutting and treating stems, as well as foliar spraying with systemic herbicides, are generally the most effective methods. Treatments are typically applied in late summer and fall. Stands may be mowed prior to treatment, which cuts down on the amount of herbicide used and reduces the potential for drift. Mechanical removal of this species can be problematic, as it may increase the likelihood of spread and it is difficult to remove the entire root structure necessary for effective control.

WNY PRISM PRIORITY:

Tier 4 - Local Control

Invasive Species Priorities - Tier Chart

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

WNY PRISM Best Management Practices for Phragmites

Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative (GLPC)

GLPC produces a webinar series on Phragmites management, past webinar recordings can be found here: https://www.greatlakesphragmites.net/resources/webinars/

NYS Prohibited and Regulated Species - Part 575:

Phragmites is a prohibited species in New York State - for more information on Prohibited and Regulated Species, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/99141.html.

PATHWAYS OF INVASION:

<em>Phragmites</em> was introduced to North America through ship ballast water and through the Nursery and Landscape industry, often planted for erosion control. It is spread through transportation and mowing.

REGIONAL DISTRIBUTION:

Widespread

MAP (via iMapInvasives):

This map shows confirmed observations (green points) submitted to the NYS Invasive Species Database. Absence of data does not necessarily mean absence of the species at that site, but that it has not been reported there. For more information, please visit iMapInvasives.