Scientific Name: Phragmites australis

Common Name: southern reed

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Poaceae

Form Description: Vigorous, emergent aquatic resembling bamboo.

Flowers: Plume-like, at the top of the tall, straight stems.

Fruit: Caryopsis

Municipality
Break O’DayBrightonBurnieCentral CoastCentral HighlandsClarenceDerwent ValleyDevonportDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayGlenorchyLatrobeLauncestonMeander ValleyNorthern MidlandsSorellSouthern MidlandsWaratah-WynyardWest Tamar
Plant Communities
No data available for this species
Habitat Notes

Common in lowland areas on the margins of streams, rivers, lakes and dams, sometimes found in irrigation and drainage ditches, and in brackish water and tidal systems.

Soil Tolerance

Clay

Frost Tolerance

Hardy

General Notes

Requires full sun and a large pool, needs to be contained within a large box. Cut back in winter, as stems die down after flowering. The underground stems can be eaten, and taste like bamboo shoots. Uses: making reed pens, and leaves are sometimes used for weaving. Said to have medicinal properties. In Chinese herbal medicine, the underground part of the stem growing under mud (not in the water) is used, and is reputed to be useful for acute arthritis, jaundice and food poisoning.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed, Division

Seed Information

Seed Treatment Method

Bog Method The seeds of many wetland species need to be kept wet to germinate. Punch a hole in the side of a recycled polyfoam box so that it holds water to the required depth. Sit the tubes in the box to germinate. Once germinated, punch holes in the bottom of the box to allow drainage.

Seed Storage Life

At least 2 years.

Seed Treatment Notes

Grown from seed which germinates quickly, although not all populations seem to set viable seed. Seed has an after-ripening period of 2-3 months, and requires several months of dry storage. Separate seed from seed heads before sowing, by rubbing or beating seed heads against water, as they contain chemical inhibitors. Sunlight and warmth are required for germination.

Cutting & Division Information

Can be grown by division in spring, but this is labour intensive.