common reed

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• common reed
• common reedgrass
• giant reedgrass
• ditch reed
• giant reed
• phragmites
• reed grass
• cane grass
• letlhaka
• phrag
• roseau cane

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Arundo australis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Poales and the family Poaceae. Finally, it is identified by its genus, Phragmites.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across various regions of Northern Europe. Specifically, its habitat includes the coastal and wetland areas of Denmark. It is also commonly found growing throughout the landscapes of Finland. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed across Great Britain and Ireland. Finally, its geographical range extends further north into the territories of Norway.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Phragmites australis is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to an elevation of 3800 m AMSL. This species is frequently found inhabiting anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) as well as restinga ecosystems, demonstrating significant adaptability to both human-modified landscapes and coastal vegetation zones. Regarding its symbiotic relationships, the plant does not rely on mycorrhizal associations (mycorrhiza: no) for its growth and nutrient uptake processes.

Elevational range max:

3800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Restinga

Mycorrhiza :

no

Life history

The life history of Phragmites australis is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons via robust underground structures. As a member of the cryptophyte life form, it relies on protected buds or specialized organs situated below the soil or water surface to survive unfavorable periods. Its ecological niche is further defined by its classification as a geophyte, utilizing stored energy in rhizomes to facilitate rapid seasonal regrowth. Regarding its foliage, the plant exhibits evergreen characteristics, maintaining its structural presence and physiological activity throughout much of its environment's active cycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Phragmites australis is characterized by its growth as a non-woody, graminoid herb. This self-supporting plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation and ranges significantly in stature, with a minimum height of 0.8 m, a mean height of 3.075 m, and a maximum height reaching up to 9 m. As an independent organism, it does not function as a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining a terrestrial habit, though it is often found in semiaquatic environments.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

graminoid

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

9 m

Plant height mean:

3.075 m

Plant height min:

0.8 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Phragmites australis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway and a non-carnivorous nutritional strategy, as it does not possess the ability to fix nitrogen. The leaf morphology is defined by a linear form with entire margins, notably lacking any thorns or spines. In terms of leaf dimensions, the plant exhibits significant variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 35 cm to a maximum of 60 cm. The leaf width typically ranges between 3 cm and 3.5 cm, resulting in a mean leaf width of 3 cm. The average leaf size is calculated at 69.25875 cm², while the Specific Leaf Area (SLA) maintains a mean value of 163.03 cm²/g, reflecting its structural investment in photosynthetic tissue.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf form :

linear

Leaf length max:

60 cm

Leaf length min:

35 cm

Leaf margin :

entire

Leaf size mean:

69.25875 cm²

Leaf spines :

no

Leaf thorns :

no

Leaf width max:

3.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

163.03 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Phragmites australis is characterized by a sexual process through bisexual flowers organized in a panicle inflorescence. The flowering period typically begins in July and concludes in October, with inflorescence lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.4 m. Individual flowers are relatively small, measuring between 0.7 cm and 1.2 cm in length. The plant utilizes an abiotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on the wind for pollination, and self-fertilization is absent. Following successful pollination, the plant produces dry fruits containing seeds with a mean mass of approximately 0.00042729175 g (ranging from 0 g up to 0.00401 g) and a consistent seed volume of 0.18 mm³. Dispersal is primarily anemochorous, meaning the seeds are dispersed by the wind. While sexual reproduction is a key component, asexual reproduction is noted as absent in this specific profile.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Flower length max:

1.2 cm

Flower length min:

0.7 cm

Flowering time :

Jul

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit dryness :

dry

Inflorescence :

panicle

Inflorescence length max:

0.4 m

Inflorescence length min:

0.1 m

Pollination syndrome :

wind

Pollination syndrome :

abiotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed mass max:

0.00401 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00042729175 g

Seed mass min:

0 g

Seed volume max:

0.18 mm³

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Phragmites australis has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root.

Root

1. Future microbiology

Chemicals

Phragmites australis has 17 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ash, CALCIUM, FAT, FURFURAL, Gallic acid.

Ash

1. Dr. Duke

CALCIUM

1. Dr. Duke

FAT

1. Dr. Duke

FURFURAL

1. Dr. Duke

Gallic acid

1. Nigerian journal of natural products and medicine

PHOSPHORUS

1. Dr. Duke

SAPONIN

1. Dr. Duke

SILICIC ACID

1. Dr. Duke

Taraxerol

1. Dr. Duke

Taraxerone

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Phragmites australis has 184 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Acidulant, Aggregant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic.

Antioxidant

1. Dr. Duke
2. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Acidulant

1. Dr. Duke

Aggregant

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

1. Dr. Duke

AntiAGE

1. Dr. Duke

AntiCFS

1. Dr. Duke

Conditions

Phragmites australis has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Aspergillus niger, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Aspergillus niger

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Bacillus subtilis

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Candida albicans

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Escherichia coli

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Staphylococcus aureus

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Preparations

Phragmites australis has 3 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include 5E: P. australis's shoot, ZLs, leaf sheaths of standing dead culms.

5e: p. australis's shoot

1. Saudi journal of biological sciences

Zls

1. Journal of ethnobiology and ethnomedicine

Leaf sheaths of standing dead culms

1. Fungal systematics and evolution