Common Reed

Phragmites australis ssp. australis

Woody, hollow stems with showy plume-like terminal flowering stalks that are green to reddish.

Life Forms	Grass or Grass-like
Habitats	Disturbed sites Ditches Marshes Railroad tracks Rights of way Riparian areas Roadsides Swamps Wetlands
ODA Listing	A
Soil and Moisture Conditions	Moist to wet
Suggested Actions	Report to Oregon Invasives Hotline
Shade Preference	Full sun Part shade
Mature Height	3-14'
Distribution	lower Columbia River islands, tidals flats and Willamette River
Control	Manually remove small patches by digging, being sure to remove every rhizome fragment
Reproduction and Spread	Root fragments disperse downstream. Seed dispersal by wind, water, and wildlife.
Introduced	Native to Africa and temperate areas of Asia and Europe.
Look Alikes	Native Phragmites australis ssp. americanus
Impact	Aggressive invasive that excludes large wading birds and reduces feeding grounds for birds, reduces habitat for important fish species; can block fish passage; steepens creek banks; can alter soil invertebrate communities; decreases waterfront property values.
More Info	https://www.oregon.gov/ODA/shared/Documents/Publications/Weeds/PhragmitiesPlantPestRiskAssessment.pdf https://www.portland.gov/bes/invasive-plants/required-eradication-list/common-reed