Phragmites australis subsp. americanus
characteristics
Red and green stems, long broad leaves and plume-like panicles, 15-40 cm long, with tawny to purplish spikelets and long silky hairs. Grows in dense stands. In southern Manitoba, stems reach their full height by the end of July. Growth can reach 4 cm/day. Tolerates flooding, frost, high pH and saline soils. Usually referred to as: Phragmites.
Seed is rarely viable; starts from roots, sprigs
Phragmites australis, a European plant that is very similar to Phragmites australis subsp. americanus, is not Native to North America.
| T | SSN | H | W | sun | soil | H2O | fire | N2 | pH | summer | fall | flower (seed) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | 3.0 | S | S | F-M-C | M-W | ••• | • | 4.5-8.0 | green/red | yellow-pale | maroon |
habitat
Ditches, moist to wet areas.
uses
Early season forage for cattle and horses.
Seeds are eaten by waterfowl; roots are eaten by muskrats.
The edges of a stand are sometimes used for nesting by ducks; the interior provides nesting habitat for snowy egrets, blackcrowned night herons, and yellow-headed blackbirds.
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