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| ## COMMON reed {#common-reed .Title-Header}                           |
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| *Phragmites australis* (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.                         |
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| Plant Symbol = PHAU7                                                  |
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Contributed By: USDA NRCS National Plant Data

*Center*![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.792361111111111in"
height="4.175in"}

# Considered a noxious weed in several states.

# Alternate Names

giant reed, giant reedgrass, Roseau, roseau cane, yellow cane, cane,
*Phragmites communis*

# Uses 

Although coarse, common reed is readily eaten by cattle and horses. It
provides high quality warm‑season forage but becomes tough and
unpalatable after maturity. Animals grazing this grass during winter
should be fed a protein concentrate. This plant has been used in the
Southwest for lattices in constructing adobe houses. Indians have used
the stems for arrows, weaving mats, and carrying nets.

## 

## Status

Considered a noxious weed in several states. Please consult the PLANTS
Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant's
current status, such as, state noxious status and wetland indicator
values.

## Description

Grass Family (Poaceae). Common reed is a warm‑season, rhizomatous,
stoloniferous perennial, native to the U.S. The height ranges from 6 to
12 feet. The leaf blade is flat; smooth; 1/2 to 2 inches wide; and 6 to
18 inches long. The seedhead is an open panicle with a purplish or tawny
and flaglike appearance after seed shatter. Common reed is readily
identified by its height. It is the tallest grass in southern marshes
and swamps.

# Management

This grass cannot withstand prolonged heavy grazing. Its upright growth
makes it easy for livestock to remove all the leaves. For maximum
production, no more than 50 percent of current year\'s growth by weight
should be grazed off during growing season. Common reed tolerates
burning if water is above soil surface. Burning is not essential for
management. Water control that lowers the water level, but does not
drain the area, increases production. Grazing deferments of 60 to 90
days every 2 to 3 years during the growing season improve plant vigor.

# Establishment

Growth starts in February in some locations. Foliage stays green until
frost. New shoots grow from buds at nodes of old, stems, stolons, and
rhizomes. It grows in marshes and swamps, on banks of streams and lakes,
and around springs. It grows best in firm mineral clays and tolerates
moderate salinity. It does best if water level fluctuates from 6 inches
below soil surface to 6 inches above. Common reed is often codominant
with big cordgrass (Spartina *cynosuroides)* on the gulf coast marsh
rangelands.

## Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin) 

Please contact your local NRCS Field Office.

## 

**Reference**

Leithead, H.L., L.L. Yarlett, & T.N. Shiflett. 1976. 100 native forage
grasses in 11 southern states. USDA SCS *Agriculture Handbook No. 389*,
Washington, DC.

## Prepared By & Species Coordinator:

*Percy Magee*, USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge,
Louisiana

Edited: 13may02 ahv; jul03 ahv; 20sep05 jsp; 070116 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

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