Phragmites australis (Cav.) Steud.
Common Reed

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

Alternative Names. Ditch reed, giant reed.

General Biology. Growth form. Grass. Life form. Perennial, rhizomatous/stoloniferous. Reproduction. Rhizomes, stolons, occasionally seed. Dispersal. Wind, water, road construction and maintenance. Photosynthetic Pathway. C3. Fire response. Resprouts.

Notes. Widely naturalised. Can form very large dense stands in wetlands where it is able to have a significant impact on plant and animal diversity. Long-lived and fast growing with a very vigorous and invasive running rootstock. Capable of reproduction by seeds, but primarily reproduces asexually by rhizomes. Seed viablity and dormancy differs greatly, seed generally has low viablity, but prolific amounts are produced. Disturbance that removes competitors and enriches nutrients strongly promotes spread. Dispersal to new sites is typically by seed. Moderately tolerant of saline water. Allelopathic.

Additional information. Origin. Occurs in Europe, Asia, Africa, America, Australia, however its true origin is unclear. History of use/introduction. Grown commercially, thatching, fodder, cellulose production, erosion control, medicine, edible foods.

Suggested method of management and control. In summer dry areas, slashing over succesive years reduces biomass. Spot spray with glyphosate in late summer/early autumn after flowering or apply as a cut stump treatment. Repeated treatments for several years are often required. Herbicides in combination with burning can be effective. Repeated cutting or breaking of stems below the water level may be effective, however may not kill all stems. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.

Management Calendar

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

 

References

• Ailstock, M.S., Norman, C.M. & Bushmann, P.J. (2001) Common reed Phragmites australis: control and effects upon biodiversity in freshwater nontidal wetlands. Restoration Ecology, 9 (1): 49-59.
• Anon. (2008) Phragmites australis - (Cav.)Trin. ex Steud. Common Reed. URL: http://www.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Phragmites+australis - Accessed January 2010. Plants For A Future Database.
• Bains, G., Kumar, A.S., Rudrappa, T., Alff, E., Hanson, T.E. & Bais, H.P. (2009) Native plant and microbial contributions to a negative plant-plant interaction. Plant Physiology, 151: 2145-2151.
• Blossey, B. & Nuzzo, V. (2003) Phragmites, common reed: basic information. Cornell University, Ecology and Management of Invasive Plants Program URL: http://www.invasiveplants.net/phragmites/Default.htm - Accessed January 2010.
• Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
• Carr, G.W., Yugovic, J.V. & Robinson, K.E. (1992) Environmental weed invasions in Victoria. Department of Conservation and Environment, Melbourne.
• Davies, R.J.-P., Mackay, D.A. & Whalen, M.A. (2008) Competitive effects of Phragmites australis on the endangered artesian spring endemic Eriocaulon carsonii. Aquatic Botany, : doi:10.1016.
• Engloner, A.I. (2004) Annual growth dynamics and morphological differences of reed (Phragmites australis [Cav.] Trin. ex Steudel) in relation to water supply. Flora - Morphology, Distribution, Functional Ecology of Plants, 199 (3): 256-262.
• Fell, P.E., Warren, R.S., Light, J.K., Rawson, R.L.Jr., Fairley, S.M. (2003) Comparison of fish and macroinvertebrate use of Typha angustifolia, Phragmites australis, and treated Phragmites marshes along the lower Conneticut River. Estuaries, 26 (2B): 534-551.
• Fredrick, K. (2000) Need and effectiveness of control measures on Phragmites australis in restoration situations. Restoration and Reclamation Review, 6 URL: http://horticulture.cfans.umn.edu/vd/h5015/00papers/fredrick.htm - Accessed December 2007.
• Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
• Kettenring, K.M. & Wingham, D.F. (2009) Seed viability and seed dormancy of non-native Phragmites australis in suburbanized and forested watersheds of the Chesapeake Bay, USA. Aquatic Botany, 91: 199-204.
• McKee, J. & Richards, A.J. (1996) Variation in seed production and germinability in common reed (Phragmites australis) in Britain and France with respect to climate. New Phytologist, 133: 233-243.
• Michinton, T.E. & Bertness, M.D. (2003) Disturbance-mediated competition and the spread of Phragmites australis in a coastal marsh. Ecological Applications, 13 (5): 1400-1416.
• Munro, N.T., Kovac, K., Niejalke, D. & Cunningham, R.B. (2009) The effect of a single burn event on the aquatic invertebrates in artesian springs. Austral Ecology, 34: 837-847.
• Saltonstall, K. (2009) Common reed: Phragmites australis Grass family (Poaceae). Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group, Washington DC. URL: http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/phau1.htm.
• Silliman, B.R. & Bertness, M.D. (2004) Shore-line development drives invasion of Phragmites australis and the loss of plant diversity on New England salt marshes. Conservation Biology, 18 (5): 1424-1434.
• Smith, S.M. (2005) Manual control of Phragmites australis in freshwater ponds of Cape Cod National Seashore, Massachusetts, USA. Journal of Aquatic Plant Management, 43: 50-53.
• Uchytil, R.J. (1992) Phragmites australis. In U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (2002, April). Fire Effects Information System. URL: http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/ - Accessed December 2007.
• USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program (2009) Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. URL: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysimple.aspx - Accessed October 2009.
• Witje, A.H.B.M. & Gallagher, J.L. (1996) Effect of oxygen availablity and salinity on early life history stages of salt marsh plants. I. Different germination strategies of Spartina alternanthera and Phragmites australis (Poaceae). American Journal of Botany, 83 (10): 1337-1342.
• Zhao, Y.J., Qing, H., Zhao, C.J., Zhou, C.F., Zhang, W.G., Xiao, Y. & An, S.Q. (2010) Phenotypic plasticity of Spartinia alterniflora and Phragmites australis in response to nitrogen addition and intraspecific competition. Hydrobiologia, 637: 143-155.