a field of common reed

Common Reed – Plant

LATIN NAME
Phragmites australis

LONGEVITY
Perennial

SEASON
Warm

ORIGIN
Native

DETAILS:

  • Readily identified by its height.
  •  Is the tallest grass in southern marshes, springs, and along banks of streams and lakes.
  • Grows best in firm mineral clay soils.
  • Tolerates moderate salinity.
  • Does best if the water level fluctuates from 6 inches below the soil surface to 6 inches above.
  • Although the leaves are coarse, common reed is readily eaten by cattle and horses. Provides high quality warm-season forage in the early stages of growth, but becomes tough and unpalatable after maturity.
  • Mexicans of the southwest have used common reed for lattices in constructing their adobe houses, and the Indians used the stems for arrows and for weaving mats and carrying nets.

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