Phragmites
What is Phragmites?
Phragmites, (Phragmites austrails) or common reed, is an invasive wetland plant found in every U.S. state.
It can grow up to 15 feet tall; has up to 1-inch wide leaves and silvery seed head plumes. The stems persist over winter as thin canes, like slender bamboo.
Phragmites has a dense root system and spreads primarily by aggressive rhizomes. The rhizomes can grow across the ground sometimes up to 60-80 feet in one year. Even small pieces of a phragmites root can sprout and re-grow.
It can also be spread by pieces that get attached to watercraft; along roads by earthmoving equipment; or from new construction which causes soil disturbance that can encourage the growth of phragmites from existing nearby stands.
What value is Phragmites?
Phragmites has little or no value. It's growth habit is too dense for wildlife to be able to use it for cover. It has no nutritional value for wildlife. It's aggressive growth habit and size threatens wetlands and beaches; obstructs views of water bodies; limits biodiversity by choking out native wetland plant species; and it is extremely difficult to control.
How can Phragmites be controlled?
Runners from existing phragmites stands can be removed to reduce spreading and small plants removed immediately upon discovery. However, established stands are best controlled using herbicide application by a certified pesticide applicator. Here is a list of some companies that provide phragmites control service in the Washtenaw County area.
Resources
Additional web sources of information include:
- Phragmites Video (12 minutes) from Peaine Township, Beaver Island, Michigan
- Control and Management of Invasive Phragmites (Includes "A Landowner's Guide to Phragmites Control"), Michigan DEQ
- Phragmites, Invasive Plants Web Site, Cornell University
- Phragmites australis, USDA Plants Database
- Common Reed, Invasive Species Web Site
- If you are interested in joining an e-mail list-serve for sharing information on phragmites, contact: l-phragmitesinfo@ewashtenaw.org. Put "Subscribe" in the subject line and request addition to the list-serve.