Phragmites australis

Common Reed


Field view of Phragmites australis or Common Reed

Field view of Phragmites australis or Common Reed. Higher than your head and can be 15 feet tall.

 Field View of Common Reed Near a Pond</em>

Common Reed is a huge invasive grass that grows near water.

 Close-up of Common Reed Inflorescence

This inflorescence is young and contracted.

Opened Inflorescence

This panicle is fully fluffed out.

 Common Reed Leaves

Leaves of Common Reed.

 Common Reed Ligule

The short ligule of Common Reed.

Closer View of the Branches and Spikelets

Closer view of the branches and spikelets.

 Spikelets: Glumes, Florets and Silky Hairs

Close view of a few spikelets with their silky hairs.

 Cluster of Spikelets

A cluster of spikelets.

How to Identify Common Reed

  Phragmites australis is almost unmistakable. It is always in moist ground near water. It is usually 8 or 10 feet tall and can be 15 feet, with white or purplish plumes.



Similar Species

Giant Reed
  Fairly common is Giant Reed, (Arundo donax), shown here. Growing more rarely and only in Maricopa and Yuma counties, Tall Reed (Phragmites karka) is equally large, 20 to 35 feet tall.