Phragmites (Giant Reed)

Poaceae

LIFE FORM: Herbaceous

NATIVITY: Europe, Asia and North America

VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

Perennial grass that can grow up to 15 feet tall; very long-lived.

FLOWERS:

Conspicuous, plume-like panicle, 8 to 15 inches long; purple in color maturing to buff.

FRUIT/DISPERSAL AGENTS:

Light brown, plume-like seed heads persist through winter; wind-dispersed seeds spread readily; rhizomes form large colonies.

ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCE:

Common in moist soils with impeded drainage; along roadways. Prefers vacant lots and rubble dump sites; freshwater wetlands, ponds and streams; riverbanks; saltwater marshes.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION:

Tolerant of road salt and alkaline soils; grows well in brackish water; nutrient absorption in wetlands; salt tolerance along roadways; food and'or habitat for wildlife; streamand river bank stabilization.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

Used as a building material wherever it grows; it is also an important phytoremediation plant in wetlands with impeded drainage. Used as forage for domestic animals. Introduced for soil conservation purposes. Invasive species in minimally managed habitats.