Phragmites australis

Phragmites australis
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Phragmites
Species:	P. australis
Binomial name
	Phragmites australis; (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.
Synonyms
	Phragmites communis

Phragmites australis, known as common reed, is a broadly distributed wetland grass growing nearly 20 ft (6 m) tall.

Taxonomy

Recent studies have characterized morphological distinctions between the introduced and native stands of Phragmites australis in North America. The Eurasian phenotype can be distinguished from the North American phenotype by its shorter ligules of up to 0.9 mm (0.04 in) as opposed to over 1.0 mm (0.04 in), shorter glumes of under 3.2 mm (0.13 in) against over 3.2 mm (0.13 in) (although there is some overlap in this character), and in culm characteristics.[1]

Phragmites australis subsp. americanus – the North American genotype has been described as a distinct species, Phragmites americanus
Phragmites australis subsp. australis – the Eurasian genotype
Phragmites australis subsp. altissimus (Benth.) Clayton[2]
Phragmites australis var. marsillyanus (Mabille) Kerguélen[2]

Ecology

Growth and habitat

Phragmites australis, common reed, commonly forms extensive stands (known as reed beds), which may be as much as 1 square kilometre (0.39 sq mi) or more in extent. Where conditions are suitable it can also spread at 5 m (16 ft) or more per year by horizontal runners, which put down roots at regular intervals. It can grow in damp ground, in standing water up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) or so deep, or even as a floating mat. The erect stems grow to 2–4 metres (6 ft 7 in–13 ft 1 in) tall,[3] with the tallest plants growing in areas with hot summers and fertile growing conditions.

The leaves are 18–60 cm (7.1–23.6 in) long and 1–6 cm (0.39–2.36 in) broad.[3] The flowers are produced in late summer in a dense, dark purple panicle, about 15–40 cm (5.9–15.7 in) long.[3] Later the numerous long, narrow, sharp pointed spikelets appear greyer due to the growth of long, silky hairs. These eventually help disperse the minute seeds.

It is a helophyte (aquatic plant), especially common in alkaline habitats, and it also tolerates brackish water,[4] and so is often found at the upper edges of estuaries and on other wetlands (such as grazing marsh) which are occasionally inundated by the sea. A study demonstrated that Phragmites australis has similar greenhouse gas emissions to native Spartina alterniflora.[5] However, other studies have demonstrated that it is associated with larger methane emissions and greater carbon dioxide uptake than native New England salt marsh vegetation that occurs at higher marsh elevations.[6]

Common reed is suppressed where it is grazed regularly by livestock. Under these conditions it either grows as small shoots within the grassland sward, or it disappears altogether. In Europe, common reed is rarely invasive, except in damp grasslands where traditional grazing has been abandoned.

A previously sandy beach in Hanko, Finland now overrun with Phragmites australis reeds.

Invasive status

In North America, the status of Phragmites australis is a source of confusion and debate. It is commonly considered a non-native and often invasive species, introduced from Europe in the 1800s.[7] However, there is evidence of the existence of Phragmites as a native plant in North America long before European colonization of the continent.[8] The North American native subspecies, P. a. subsp. americanus (sometimes considered a separate species, Phragmites americanus), is markedly less vigorous than European forms. The expansion of Phragmites in North America is due to the more vigorous, but similar-looking European subsp. australis.[9][7]

Phragmites australis subsp. australis outcompetes native vegetation and lowers the local plant biodiversity. It forms dense thickets of vegetation that are unsuitable habitat for native fauna. It displaces native plants species such as wild rice, cattails, and native orchids.[10] Phragmites has a high above ground biomass that blocks light to other plants allowing areas to turn into Phragmites monoculture very quickly. Decomposing Phragmites increases the rate of marsh accretion more rapidly than would occur with native marsh vegetation.[11]

Phragmites australis subsp. australis is causing serious problems for many other North American hydrophyte wetland plants, including the native Phragmites australis subsp. americanus. Gallic acid released by phragmites is degraded by ultraviolet light to produce mesoxalic acid, effectively hitting susceptible plants and seedlings with two harmful toxins.[4][12] Phragmites is so difficult to control that one of the most effective methods of eradicating the plant is to burn it over 2-3 seasons. The roots grow so deep and strong that one burn is not enough.[13] Ongoing research suggests that goats could be effectively used to control the species.[14]

Natural enemies

Since 2017, over 80% of the beds of Phragmites in the Pass a Loutre Wildlife Management Area have been damaged by the invasive roseau cane scale (Nipponaclerda biwakoensis), threatening wildlife habitat throughout the affected regions of the area.[15] While typically considered a noxious weed, in Louisiana the reed beds are considered critical to the stability of the shorelines of wetland areas and waterways of the Mississippi Delta, and the die-off of reed beds is believed to accelerate coastal erosion.[15]

Uses

Many parts of the plant can be eaten. The young shoots can be consumed raw or cooked. The hardened sap from damaged stems can be eaten fresh or toasted. The stems can be dried, ground, sifted, hydrated, and toasted like marshmallows. The seeds can be crushed, mixed with berries and water, and cooked to make a gruel. The roots can be prepared similar to those of cattails.[3]

References

Saltonstall, K; Peterson, PM; Soreng, RJ (2004). "Recognition of Phragmites australis subsp. americanus (Poacaeae: Arundinoideae) in North America. Evidence from morphological and genetic analyses". SIDA, Contributions to Botany. 21 (2): 683–692.
"The Plant List: Phragmites". Retrieved 2018-11-08.
Elias, Thomas S.; Dykeman, Peter A. (2009) [1982]. Edible Wild Plants: A North American Field Guide to Over 200 Natural Foods. New York: Sterling. p. 129. ISBN 978-1-4027-6715-9. OCLC 244766414.
www.upane.it, Upane -. "GISD". www.issg.org.
Emery, Hollie E.; Fulweiler, Robinson W. (2014). "Spartina alterniflora and invasive Phragmites australis stands have similar greenhouse gas emissions in a New England marsh". Aquatic Botany. 116 (5): 83–92.
Martin, Rose M.; Moseman-Valtierra, Serena (2015). "Greenhouse Gas Fluxes Vary Between Phragmites Australis and Native Vegetation Zones in Coastal Wetlands Along a Salinity Gradient". Wetlands Journal. pp. 1021–1031.
"Common Reed". www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov. National Invasive Species Information Center | USDA. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
Saltonstall, Kristin (2002). "Cryptic invasion by a non-native genotype of the common reed, Phragmites australis, into North America". PNAS. 99 (4): 2445–2449.
Catling, P.M.; Mitrow, G.l. (2011). "Major invasive alien plants of natural habitats in Canada. 1. European Common Reed (often just called Phragmites), Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. subsp. australis". CBA Bulletin. 44 (2): 52–61.
"Common Reed. United States Forest Service" (PDF).
"PHRAGMITES: Questions and Answers" (PDF). United States Fish and Wildlife Service.
University of Delaware (June 3, 2009). "Changing Climate May Make 'Super Weed' Even More Powerful". Newswise. Retrieved December 6, 2020.
"Stop Invasive Species - Phragmites".
Jolly, Joanna (3 December 2017). "The goats fighting America's plant invasion". BBC News.
Tristan Baurick (April 14, 2017). "Scientists identify pest laying waste to Mississippi River Delta wetlands grass". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved December 6, 2020.