Common Reed - native (Phragmites australis)

Cosmopolitan. Perennial. C3.

Family. Poaceae (Grass family).

Identification:

• it is a tall grass growing to head height or more, in running or standing water.
• the flowers are in a feathery cluster.
• the glumes are shorter than the lemmas
• there are up to 10 lemmas, the lower one is sterile
• the lemmas have long awns
• the leaves are flat
• the ligule is a 1-10mm long fringed membrane.

It is often associated with with Cumbungi (Bulrush) (Typha species).

Phragma: Hedge (Greek), it often grows densely; australis: southern.

The feathery flowers, the size, and the habitat are distinctive.

More photos

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