Photo Credit: Caleb Slemmons, National Ecological Observatory Network, Bugwood.org
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.
Invasive:
Giant reed (Arundo donax) grows taller than common reed.
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
Common Reed Factsheet
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
- Coastal Invasive Species Committee, Common Reed
- Fraser Valley Invasive Species Society, European Common Reed
- Government of BC, Invasive Species Alert: European Common Reed
- ISCBC, Grass Gone Bad: New Invasive Species of Concern to BC Grasslands
- Nature Conservancy of Canada, Phragmites
- Ontario Invasive Plants, Invasive Phragmites – Best Management Practices