Family: Poaceae
Author: (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.
Bibliography: Nomencl. Bot., ed. 2, 2: 324 (1841)
Year: 1841
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Phragmites
Vegetable: False
Observations: Temp. & Subtrop. to Trop. Mts.
Description
Ditch reed, scientifically known as Phragmites australis, is a prominent member of the Poaceae family. This plant is recognized for its adaptability and widespread presence across various temperate, subtropical, and tropical mountainous regions. It was classified in 1841, offering a historical context to its botanical nomenclature as noted in Nomencl. Bot., ed. 2, 2: 324.
A perennial species, the Phragmites australis is renowned for its robust and extensive rhizome network, which allows it to thrive in challenging environments such as wetlands, marshes, ditches, and along the edges of lakes and rivers. Its capacity to form dense stands makes it a critical component of the ecosystems it inhabits.
Characterized by tall stems that can reach up to several meters in height, the Ditch reed displays long, slender leaves and an inflorescence comprising large, feathery, purple-tinged panicles. These features not only contribute to its aesthetic appeal but also play a vital role in its reproductive strategy, facilitating wind pollination.
Ditch reed’s ecological significance is manifold. It provides habitat and food for various wildlife species, including birds and aquatic organisms. However, its vigorous growth can sometimes pose challenges, such as outcompeting native vegetation and altering local water dynamics. This duality makes it a subject of interest and concern in the field of environmental management.
Despite its invasive potential in some areas, Phragmites australis also holds considerable value for erosion control and as a bioindicator for environmental health. Its extensive root systems stabilize soil and mitigate erosion, while its presence indicates the condition of wetland ecosystems.
In agronomy and land reclamation projects, Ditch reed has been employed for its ability to survive and prosper in contaminated soils, thereby aiding in phytoremediation efforts. This demonstrates its utility beyond natural habitats, underscoring its adaptability and resilience.
In summary, Phragmites australis is a versatile and ecologically significant plant known for its extensive reach across various climates and regions. Its presence, while sometimes problematic, also offers numerous benefits, marking it as an essential subject for continued study and understanding in botanical and environmental sciences.
Common Names
Dan: almindelig tagrør, tagrør
Eng: common reed, ditch reed, giant reed, phragmites, reed grass, common reedgrass, giant reedgrass
Deu: schilf, schilfrohr
Ara: bous, ghab, qassab
Por: caniço
Spa: carrizo común
Swe: järviruoko, vass, bladvass
Fin: järviruoko
Fra: phragmite commun, roseau, roseau commun, phragmite, roseau à balais
Nld: riet
Nor: røjr, rør
Nob: takrør
Nno: takrøyr
Sme: jávreruošši
Cym: calaf, cawnen, cecysen, corsen, corsen cyrs, corsen gyffredin, corsenau, corswellt cyffredin, cyrs, corsen cyrs
Gla: biorrach, giolcach
En: Ditch reed, Phragmites, Reed grass, Giant reed, Common reed, Common reedgrass, Giant reedgrass, Reedgrass, Cane, Roseau, Roseau cane, Yellow cane
Ar: Bous, Ghab, Qassab, إيجونام، مديد (مُدَيِّد), برسيم حجازى، قصبه (قِصبه)، حشنات (حُشنات), بوص بو (بوص بَوْ)، قصبه (قَصَبه), بوص، بوث خباء (بوص خَباء), تغميمت (تَغَميمت)، تيجامنين, تنميه (تَنيمه)، أجانيم, حجنه (حَجْنه، حَجَنه)، غاب حجنه (غاب حَجْنه), غاب (غَاب), غاب (غَاب)، غاب ريحى (غَاب ريحى), قصب (قَصَب)، قصبه (قَصَّبَه), مداد (مِداد)، مطيط (مُطيط), هيش، هيش مداد (هيش مدّاد)
Ca: Canyís, Senill
Da: Almindelig tagrør, Tagrør
Nl: Riet
Fi: Järviruoko
Fr: Phragmite commun, Roseau commun, Roseau, Phragmite, Roseau à balais, Canne à balais, Phragmite de Maurice, Roseau géant
Ka: Ლერწამი
De: Schilf, Schilfrohr, Gemeines Schilf
He: קנה מצוי
It: Cannuccia d’acqua, Cannuccia di palude, Canella, Canna di palude, Canna selvatica, Giuuco
Ko: Galdae
Se: Jávreruošši
No: Røjr, Rør
Nb: Takrør
Nn: Takrøyr
Pt: Caniço
Gd: Biorrach, Giolcach
Es: Carrizo común, Cañete, Carrizo
Sv: Järviruoko, Vass, Bladvass
Cy: Calaf, Cawnen, Cecysen, Corsen, Corsen Cyrs, Corsen Gyffredin, Corsenau, Corswellt Cyffredin, Cyrs, Corsen cyrs
Synonyms
- Phalaris communis var. rubriculmis (Wikstr.)
- Arundo phragmites var. tenella (Nolte)
- Phargmites communis var. tenella ((Nolte) Blytt)
- Phragmites communis var. innubus (Iverus)
- Phragmites communis f. stolonifera ((G.Mey.) Holmb.)
- Phragmites communis f. flavescens ((Custer) Holmb.)
- Phragmites communis f. subuniflora ((DC.) Holmb.)
- Phragmites communis f. coarctata (Raunk.)
Distribution
- Afghanistan (native)
- Alabama (native)
- Albania (native)
- Alberta (native)
- Algeria (native)
- Altay (native)
- Amur (native)
- Angola (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Argentina South (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Austria (native)
- Baleares (native)
- Baltic States (native)
- Belarus (native)
- Belgium (native)
- Belize (native)
- Benin (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Botswana (native)
- British Columbia (native)
- Bulgaria (native)
- Burkina (native)
- Buryatiya (native)
- California (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Canary Is. (native)
- Cape Provinces (native)
- Cape Verde (native)
- Central European Rus (native)
- Chad (native)
- Chile Central (native)
- Chile North (native)
- Chile South (native)
- China North-Central (native)
- China South-Central (native)
- China Southeast (native)
- Chita (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Congo (native)
- Connecticut (native)
- Corse (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cyprus (native)
- Czechoslovakia (native)
- Delaware (native)
- Denmark (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- East Aegean Is. (native)
- East European Russia (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- Egypt (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Eritrea (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Finland (native)
- Florida (native)
- France (native)
- Free State (native)
- French Guiana (native)
- Gambia (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Germany (native)
- Great Britain (native)
- Greece (native)
- Guatemala (native)
- Guinea-Bissau (native)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
- Gulf States (native)
- Guyana (native)
- Hainan (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Hungary (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Inner Mongolia (native)
- Iowa (native)
- Iran (native)
- Iraq (native)
- Ireland (native)
- Irkutsk (native)
- Italy (native)
- Japan (native)
- Kamchatka (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kazakhstan (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Kenya (native)
- Khabarovsk (native)
- Kirgizstan (native)
- Korea (native)
- Krasnoyarsk (native)
- Kriti (native)
- Krym (native)
- Kuril Is. (native)
- Kuwait (native)
- KwaZulu-Natal (native)
- Lebanon-Syria (native)
- Lesotho (native)
- Libya (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Madeira (native)
- Maine (native)
- Malaya (native)
- Manchuria (native)
- Manitoba (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Masachusettes (native)
- Mauritania (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Michigan (native)
- Minnesota (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Mongolia (native)
- Montana (native)
- Morocco (native)
- Mozambique (native)
- Namibia (native)
- Nansei-shoto (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- Nepal (native)
- Netherlands (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Brunswick (native)
- New Hampshire (native)
- New Jersey (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- New South Wales (native)
- New York (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- Niger (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Norfolk Is. (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- North Caucasus (native)
- North Dakota (native)
- North European Russi (native)
- Northern Provinces (native)
- Northern Territory (native)
- Northwest European R (native)
- Northwest Territorie (native)
- Norway (native)
- Nova Scotia (native)
- Ohio (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Oman (native)
- Ontario (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Pakistan (native)
- Palestine (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Pennsylvania (native)
- Peru (native)
- Poland (native)
- Portugal (native)
- Primorye (native)
- Prince Edward I. (native)
- Qinghai (native)
- Queensland (native)
- Québec (native)
- Rhode I. (native)
- Romania (native)
- Sakhalin (native)
- Sardegna (native)
- Saskatchewan (native)
- Saudi Arabia (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Sicilia (native)
- Sinai (native)
- Somalia (native)
- South Australia (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- South Dakota (native)
- South European Russi (native)
- Spain (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Suriname (native)
- Swaziland (native)
- Sweden (native)
- Switzerland (native)
- Tadzhikistan (native)
- Tasmania (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Tibet (native)
- Transcaucasus (native)
- Tunisia (native)
- Turkey (native)
- Turkey-in-Europe (native)
- Turkmenistan (native)
- Tuva (native)
- Ukraine (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Utah (native)
- Uzbekistan (native)
- Venezuela (native)
- Vermont (native)
- Victoria (native)
- Vietnam (native)
- Virginia (native)
- Washington (native)
- West Himalaya (native)
- West Siberia (native)
- West Virginia (native)
- Western Australia (native)
- Western Sahara (native)
- Wisconsin (native)
- Wyoming (native)
- Xinjiang (native)
- Yakutskiya (native)
- Yemen (native)
- Yugoslavia (native)
- Zambia (native)
- Zimbabwe (native)
- Bahamas (introduced)
- Brazil Southeast (introduced)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- New Caledonia (introduced)
- New Zealand North (introduced)
- New Zealand South (introduced)
- Newfoundland (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Fruit
Taken Jan 25, 2022 by Ernst Fürst (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 25, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 25, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 25, 2017 by Pep Secem (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 22, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Nov 20, 2019 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 20, 2019 by Renaud Brochiero (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 20, 2022 by Philippe de Spoelberch (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 24, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 25, 2022 by Ernst Fürst (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Nov 20, 2022 by Philippe de Spoelberch (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 20, 2022 by Philippe de Spoelberch (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 5, 2021 by jam osa (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 24, 2021 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 16, 2022 by Ana Durán (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Feb 22, 2022 by Michel AMBROISE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 22, 2022 by Michel AMBROISE (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 22, 2018 by Wolfgang Jauch (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 23, 2021 by yann kohler (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 16, 2017 by jose (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken May 29, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Sergio costantini (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 18, 2022 by Sergio costantini (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 4, 2020 by Sylvain Piry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 29, 2021 by Jacques Zuber (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Jan 3, 2022 by Agustín Fernández (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 3, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 29, 2021 by Илья (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 26, 2021 by 🐞Hélène🐦 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 7, 2020 by Capucine Capucine Chavagnac (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30337627-2)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5290149)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.)
Specifications
Growth form: Rhizomatous
Growth habit: Subshrub, Shrub, Graminoid
Growth rate: Rapid
Growth
Ph maximum: 8.7
Ph minimum: 4.5
Light: 7
Atmospheric humidity: 8
Bloom months: [‘aug’, ‘sep’]
Soil nutriments: 7
Soil salinity: 3