Common Reed

Common Reed (Phragmites australis subsp. australis)

5510410-PPT

Photo Credit: Caleb Slemmons, National Ecological Observatory Network, Bugwood.org

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Management Category

Squamish

Whistler

Pemberton

Vectors of Spread

Synonyms

European common reed

ID Characteristics

General: Common reed is an erect perennial grass in the Poaceae family that grows 2 – 5 meters tall.

Flowers: Feather-like flower clusters that mature from a purple colour to a straw colour. The flower clusters range from 15 – 35 cm long.

Stems: Stems are rough and hollow, often tan or beige.

Leaves: Flat, pointed, green to blue-green in colour, and slightly wider than 1 cm. There is a ligule (membranous scale found on inner side of the leaf where it touches the stem) present.

Roots: Deep, rhizomatous mats and stolons. Common reed’s rhizome system can grow up to 18 m long.

Similar Species

Native:

Native common reed (Phragmites australis subsp. americanus) is native to BC, and extremely difficult to differentiate with the invasive common reed. One identifying feature is that invasive phragmites persist year-round with standing dead stems, while native phragmites do not.

Native reed (Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org)

Invasive:

Giant reed (Arundo donax) grows taller than common reed.

Giant reed (John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org)

Habitat and Origin

Common reed is native to Europe and cultivated as an ornamental plant for aquatic sites.

Common reed thrives in disturbed soils including tidal and freshwater wetlands, coastal shorelines, river and lake edges, ditches, sloughs, and ponds.

How it Spreads

This species primarily reproduces by its rhizomes and vegetative fragments. It can also reproduced by seed, although viability is low.

Common reed spreads naturally through its rhizomes and seeds. Its rhizomes can grow several meters horizontally each year. This spread can be exacerbated when root fragments and seeds are transported by water, contaminated soil, animals, wind, or vehicles.

Impacts

Ecological:

  • Outcompetes native species and reduces biodiversity.
  • Monocultures of this species could lower water levels.
  • The presence of dead stalks increases fire risk.

Economic:

  • Forms tall, dense stands that inhibit sightlines and restrict access to recreational areas.
Prevent the Spread

Common reed is NOT currently found throughout the Sea to Sky Region, so PREVENTION is key:

Learn to identify common reed: Use the images presented on this profile page.

What to do if you spot it: You can report any common reed sighting by clicking here.

DO:
  • Regularly monitor properties for weed infestations.
  • Ensure soil and gravel is uncontaminated before transport.
  • Quickly re-vegetate disturbed areas with fast-growing competitive, native plants can limit growth of Scotch Broom and is a fundamental tool to limit its spread.
  • Minimize soil disturbance in area surrounding infestation.
  • Ensure plants (particularly flowering heads or root fragments) are bagged or covered to prevent spread during transport to designated disposal sites (e.g. landfill).

 

DO NOT:
  • Plant common reed in a garden, no matter how well-contained its enclosure may seem.
  • Move soil that has been contaminated with common reed.
  • Unload, park, or store equipment or vehicles in infested areas; remove plant material from any equipment, vehicles, or clothing used in such areas and wash equipment and vehicles at designated cleaning sites before leaving infested areas.
  • Mow or weed-whack common reed plants, as the fragments can propagate as new colonies.
Control

Common reed is NOT currently found in the Sea to Sky Corridor, so the best approach to controlling its spread is by PREVENTION.

This is a high-priority invasive species for the Province of BC, and it is included in the Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) program.

If you see common reed, please report it.

Common Reed Distribution in BC

CommonReed_IAPP_BCWide_SpeciesProfilePageMap_2020-scaled

Common Reed Factsheet

Common-Reed-Factsheet-1
Common-Reed-Factsheet-2

Having trouble viewing the factsheet? Don’t worry, all the information is included on this page. You can also contact us with any questions.

Additional Resources

References