textAdminOnlyNameForClipboard
Common Reed
Phragmites australis
SA tree number
English: Common Reed
Afrikaans: Fluitjiesriet, Sonquasriet, Vaderlandsriet, Vinkriet, Vlakkiesriet, Vleitjiesriet
Zulu: umHlanga
S. Sotho: Lehlaka
Venda: Lutanga
Historical scientific names: Arundo phragmites, Arundo australis, Phragmites communis
Misapplied scientific names: Phragmites mauritianus, Arundo donax
Walk along almost any riverbank, estuary edge, or marshy area in South Africa (and indeed, much of the world!), and you'll likely encounter the tall, swaying stands of Phragmites australis, the Common Reed. This incredibly successful grass forms dense 'reedbeds' that can stretch for vast distances, creating a vital habitat for countless wetland creatures. Recognisable by its towering height, sturdy bamboo-like stems, long grey-green leaves that rustle in the breeze, and topped by large, feathery, purplish-brown flower plumes in summer that fade to silvery beige, it's a defining plant of watery landscapes.
Have you got a better picture?
If you don't mind us using it, please upload it by clicking the Upload button below (you must be logged in to do this)
Distinguishing features:
Very tall perennial grass, often growing 2-4 metres high or more.
Forms dense colonies or 'reedbeds' in or near water.
Strong, round, hollow stems (culms).
Long (20-60 cm), relatively broad (2-6 cm), grey-green leaves with pointed tips, often facing one way in the wind.
Large, feathery, plume-like flower heads (panicles) at the stem tops, initially purplish-brown, later becoming fluffy and silvery-brown.
Spreads extensively via underground stems called rhizomes.
Overall appearance:
A tall, robust, bamboo-like grass that grows bolt upright in dense, extensive stands, dominating wetland edges.
Height:
Commonly reaches 2-4 metres, but can grow taller than 5 metres under ideal conditions.
Width:
Reedbeds spread widely via underground rhizomes, potentially covering many hundreds of square metres or even hectares.
Leaves:
Arranged alternately along the upper parts of the stem.
They are flat, long (20-60 cm) and relatively wide (2-6 cm), tapering to a sharp point.
The colour is typically grey-green or blue-green.
A key identification feature is the ligule (where the leaf blade meets the stem sheath), which is a line of short, fine hairs rather than a membrane.
Flowers:
The apparent 'flower' is actually a large, branched plume (a panicle) 15-50 cm long, made up of hundreds of tiny individual flowers grouped in structures called spikelets.
These plumes are initially dense and often purplish or brownish, becoming very fluffy and silvery-grey or light brown as the seeds mature, due to long silky hairs on the spikelets.
The plant is wind-pollinated.
Flowering season:
Primarily flowers in summer through autumn (around December to May in South Africa), with the fluffy seed heads often remaining visible through winter.
Fruits:
The fruit is a tiny, dry grain (caryopsis), typical of grasses.
Seeds:
The small seeds are enclosed within the chaffy parts of the spikelet, whose silky hairs aid dispersal by wind and potentially water. However, spread by rhizomes is often more significant locally.
Stems:
The upright stems (culms) are stiff, round, hollow between the nodes (joints), and typically yellowish or tan-coloured when mature. They are very strong.
Rhizomes/roots:
Possesses a vigorous and extensive underground network of thick, creeping stems (rhizomes) and fibrous roots.
Rhizomes store energy and allow the plant to spread rapidly and survive harsh conditions; they can grow deep (over 1 metre) and travel many metres horizontally.
It is a helophyte referring to plants that can grow in marshes, partly submerged.
Soil type:
Highly adaptable, growing in waterlogged mud, clay, silt, sand, or organic soils. Tolerates fresh water, brackish (slightly salty) water, and even quite alkaline conditions. Can survive in low-oxygen soils found in wetlands.
Aspect:
Prefers full sun for best growth but can tolerate partial shade.
Edibility:
Historically, young shoots, sugary sap from stems, ground rhizomes (as flour), and seeds have been consumed by various cultures. However, it's not a common food source today. Caution is advised as reeds can absorb pollutants like heavy metals from contaminated water.
Toxicity:
Generally considered non-toxic, but mature foliage is not very palatable for livestock. The main concern regarding consumption relates to potential environmental contaminants absorbed by the plant.
Uses:
Widely used for thatching roofs (very durable), building traditional huts (walls, screens), making mats, baskets, arrows, and even musical pipes (hence 'Fluitjiesriet').
Important for shoreline stabilisation and erosion control.
Used in constructed wetlands ('reedbeds') to filter wastewater and remove pollutants naturally.
Potential source of biomass for fuel.
Ecology:
Reedbeds are crucial wetland habitats. They provide shelter, nesting sites, and food for numerous water birds (like weavers, warblers, bitterns, swamphens), insects, spiders, amphibians, and fish (acting as nurseries). The dense stands filter water by trapping sediment and absorbing nutrients. In South Africa, animals like hippos, buffalo, and elephants may graze on reeds. While vital ecologically, some non-native genotypes can be aggressively invasive in other parts of the world, outcompeting local flora.
Distribution and habitat:
Found almost worldwide (cosmopolitan).
It is native to South Africa and occurs in all nine provinces.
It thrives in shallow freshwater or brackish wetlands, marshes, swamps, estuaries, along rivers, streams, lakeshores, dams, and in roadside ditches – essentially anywhere with consistently wet ground or shallow standing water.
Derivation of name:
Phragmites comes from the Greek 'phragma' (fence or screen), referring to its dense, screen-like growth.
australis is Latin for 'southern', assigned when its global distribution wasn't fully understood.
'Fluitjiesriet' (Afrikaans) means 'whistle-reed'.
'umHlanga' (isiZulu/isiXhosa) is a widely used name for reeds.
Historical aspects:
Humans have utilised Phragmites reeds for shelter, tools, and crafts for thousands of years across the globe. Large reedbeds have been characteristic features of major wetlands and river systems throughout history.
Interesting facts:
This plant is a true globetrotter! Phragmites australis is found almost everywhere in the world where there's wet ground, making it one of the most widespread flowering plants.
Don't underestimate this reed – it's a natural water filter! It plays a vital role in wetlands by cleaning water and preventing soil erosion.
Beyond being a home for many creatures, people have used Common Reed for centuries for everything from building roofs (thatching) to making paper! Talk about a versatile plant.
Growing tips:
Phragmites australis is not usually cultivated in gardens due to its vigorous and potentially invasive nature.
It should be easy to grow in damp soil or wetlands.
It will grow fast if conditions suit it.
Its growth should be carefully monitored to avoid it becoming invasive.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Poaceae (Greek plant name) - Order: Poales