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Native common reed

Phragmites australis subsp. americanus · Aquatic plants

Native common reed

Photo: Sam Turner / CC BY

NativeEmergent

Also called American common reed, Native phragmites

How to identify Native common reed

  • Tall grass with smooth, shiny, often reddish stems
  • Sparser stands mixed with other plants
  • Leaf sheaths fall off easily by late season
  • Smaller, more open seed heads

Similar plants

Invasive common reed has dull tan stems, denser stands and persistent sheaths.

Growth profile

Growing seasonShoots emerge in spring, flowers in late summer and stems die back in winter.
Starts growingAbout 50 F soil; full sun
LightNeeds full sun
DepthMoist shoreline to about 3 feet of water
How it spreadsRhizomes and seeds
HabitatMarshes, spring fed wetlands and lake margins, often alkaline.

Why it matters in a lake

Native and much less aggressive than the invasive form; telling them apart matters for management decisions.

Where it is found

  • Idaho: Occasional
  • Oregon: Occasional
  • Wyoming: Occasional

Classification

KingdomPlantae
PhylumTracheophyta
ClassMagnoliopsida
OrderPoales
FamilyPoaceae
Scientific namePhragmites australis subsp. americanus

More emergent plants

Broadleaf cattailHardstem bulrushReed canarygrassPurple loosestrifeSoft rushYellow flag irisBroadleaf arrowheadWestern water hemlockBeaked sedgeBaltic rush

Browse all aquatic plants in the Species Database

Need a hand?

Is it taking over your lake?

We identify what is growing, map how much of it there is and build a control plan that targets it without harming the rest of the lake.

Contact usWeed and algae controlSend us a photo

Idaho / Wyoming (208) 501-4531Oregon (541) 280-0596