Classification
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. (1841)
Synonymy:
  • Arundo australis Cav. (1799)
  • = Arundo phragmites L., Sp. Pl. 81 (1753)
  • = Phragmites communis Trin. (1820)
Vernacular Name(s):
Common reed; Phragmites
 Description

Robust perennials 1.5–3 m, with wide flat leaves borne along stout reed-like stems and with stout creeping rhizomes to 2 cm diam. Leaf-sheath rounded, chartaceous, glabrous, with numerous, minute cross-veinlets. Ligule c. 1 mm, truncate, short membranous, long ciliate. Collar brownish on both surfaces with dense, appressed, minute hairs, and ephemeral hairs to 6 mm on margin. Leaf-blade 40–60 × 1–3 cm, coriaceous, linear, somewhat narrowed at base, much-tapered above, smooth, but abaxially scabrid towards long, filiform, scabrid tip, margins scabrid above; disarticulating at ligule. Culm erect, rigid, usually simple, internodes glabrous. Panicle 20–30 cm, erect or finally drooping, purplish to brownish; branches numerous, glabrous except tufts of long (4 mm), silky hairs at nodes. Spikelets 10–14 mm, 3–6-flowered, finally widely gaping, lowest floret ♂ or Ø, others ☿. Glumes unequal, persistent, 3–5-nerved, chartaceous, glabrous, ovate-lanceolate, acute; lower c. 4 mm, upper c. 6 mm. Lemma of basal floret 9–10 mm, 3-nerved, narrow-lanceolate, membranous, acute, persistent; lemmas of perfect florets shorter, narrower, tip long-acuminate to caudate. Palea 3–4 mm, « lemma, keels ciliate. Callus 0.5–1 mm, with dense long (6–8 mm) silky hairs. Rachilla c. 0.2 mm, glabrous, prolongation 0.5 mm, glabrous. Lodicules 0.3 mm, obovate, nerved, glabrous. Anthers 1.5–2 mm. Gynoecium: ovary 0.5 mm; stigma-styles 2 mm. Caryopsis not seen.

[From: Edgar and Connor (2000) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 5 (second printing).]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Bibliography
Biosecurity New Zealand 2012: Regional Pest Management Strategies Database. http://www.biosecurityperformance.maf.govt.nz/
Biosecurity New Zealand 4 Aug 2011: Unwanted Organisms Register. http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests/registers/uor
Biosecurity New Zealand 2008: National Plant Pest Accord. MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, Wellington.
Clayton, W.D. 1968: The correct name of the common reed. Taxon 17(2): 168–169.
Howell, C. 2008: Consolidated list of environmental weeds in New Zealand. DOC Research & Development Series 292: 42.
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Ministry for Primary Industries 23 Feb 2017: Unwanted Organisms Register. Version 02.01.02. https://www1.maf.govt.nz/uor