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Description
Appearance
Non-native Phragmites, also known as common reed, is an extremely tall wetland grass. During the growing season it can reach over 15 feet tall, and has dark green leaves with a large purple-brown flower head.
Leaves and stem
Leaves are blue-green, 15 to 20 inches long, and one to one and a half inches wide. Leaves adhere tightly to the stem throughout the growing season and remain as long as the stalk stays standing. The juncture between the leaf blade and the leaf sheath, the ligule, helps identify non-native Phragmites (less than 1mm for non-natives, greater than 1mm for natives). Non-native stems are rough in texture and lack the round, black fungal spots often found on native Phragmites stems.
Flowers
Flowers develop in early August at the tip of each stem and form a dense feathery cluster that are typically purple (early development) to golden (late season/winter) in color. The invasive flower head is much more robust than the native variety.
Seeds
Flowering stalks produce thousands of grayish colored seeds. Seeds are covered in fine silky hairs that give them a fluffy appearance.
Roots
Rhizomes (underground stems that send out roots and shoots from their nodes) are white to brown in color and create a root structure that can grow up to 60 feet in length and down to a depth of more than six feet. New stalks can grow off these spreading roots, or from pieces of the rhizome. Single plants can grow into a large stand through rhizome spread, or when pieces of the rhizome, roots, or shoots are moved to a new location.
Biology
Non-native Phragmites is a perennial wetland grass found in a variety of wet soil habitats. It can grow over 15 feet tall. It forms dense clonal stands containing both living and dead shoots from previous growing seasons. If cut down, the plant can re-sprout along the stem in many places. It is commonly found in roadside ditches.
Origin and spread
Non-native Phragmites originated in the Middle East and is native to Europe and Asia. The species was unintentionally introduced into the United States’ Great Lakes through contaminated solid ballast of cargo ships or with packing material from shipping operations. It was also intentionally introduced in some locations to filter water in wastewater treatment lagoons. It was first discovered in the United States along the east coast between the late 1700s and early 1800s. Over the course of the 20th century, it has spread across the entire continent, invading wetlands, lake shores, streambanks and marshy areas. Refer to EDDMapS for distribution information.
Don't be fooled by these look-alikes
Minnesota is home to a native, beneficial Phragmites species. A combination of characteristics is used together to distinguish between natives and non-natives. Native Phragmites leaves fall off by late fall, and by early winter stems appear glossy and smooth, often with a maroon color that fades over the course of the winter. It can be difficult for non-specialists to conclusively determine the difference between native or non-native Phragmites. When in doubt, verification can be obtained by sending photos to the DNR.
- Phragmites (native)
- Bluejoint (native)
- Lake sedge (native)
- Rattlesnake grass (native)
- Prairie cordgrass (native)
Regulatory classification
Non-native Phragmites is a Minnesota Department of Agriculture Prohibited Noxious Weed on the Control List in Minnesota. Efforts must be made to prevent seed maturation and dispersal of plants into new areas. Additionally, no transportation, propagation, or sale of these plants is allowed.
Non-native Phragmites is also a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Prohibited Invasive Species in Minnesota, which means it is unlawful (a misdemeanor) to possess, import, purchase, transport or introduce these species except under a permit for disposal, control, research or education.
Threat to Minnesota waters
Invasive species cause recreational, economic and ecological damage—changing how residents and visitors use and enjoy Minnesota waters.
Non-native Phragmites impacts:
- Replaces mixed wetland communities with monocultures causing changes in ecosystem processes, such as hydrology and nutrient cycles.
- Overtakes habitat and outcompetes native aquatic plants, potentially lowering diversity.
- Provides unsuitable shelter, food, and nesting habitat for native animals.
- Tall stands along shoreland areas block views of, and access to, open water.
What you should do
People spread non-native Phragmites primarily through the movement of contaminated sediment. Seeds, which can be hidden in mud and debris, can stick to boots, waders, and other fishing and hunting gear. Hunters may unknowingly use it in their blinds. Contaminated soil fill and roadside maintenance equipment can also spread this plant and its seeds.
Whether or not a lake is listed as infested, Minnesota law requires water recreationists to:
- Clean watercraft of all aquatic plants and prohibited invasive species.
- Drain all water by removing drain plugs and keeping them out during transport.
- Dispose of unwanted bait in the trash.
- Dry docks, lifts, swim rafts and other equipment for at least 21 days before placing equipment into another water body.
Report new occurrences of non-native Phragmites to the DNR immediately by contacting your DNR Invasive Species Specialist or log in and submit a report through EDDMapS.
Control methods
Management of invasive aquatic plants involving either mechanical removal of plants or application of herbicides to public waters requires a permit from the DNR. Talk to a DNR specialist for more information.
Mechanical control can be done by mowing three to five times during the growing season to decrease the density. Equipment used to manage phragmites should be cleaned of all debris before removing it from the treatment site to prevent the unintended spread of seeds or rhizomes.
Herbicide control can be done using glyphosate and imazapyr herbicides. Follow-up control by mowing or cutting individual stands after herbicide treatment to remove dead plant material is recommended for additional control. Work done in other states indicates that multiple years of follow-up control are often necessary to prevent reestablishment.