POACEAE (GRAMINEAE)

Common Reed (grass)

 

3m 

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

 

Vigorous, emergent aquatic resembling bamboo 

Break O'Day; Brighton; Burnie; Central Coast; Central Highlands; Clarence; Derwent Valley; Devonport; Dorset; Flinders Island; Georgetown; Glamorgan-Spring Bay; Glenorchy; Latrobe; Launceston; Meander Valley; Northern Midlands; Sorell; Southern Midlands; Waratah-Wynyard; West Tamar 

 

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. 

 

Hardy 

Clay 

Can also be grown by division in spring, but this is labour intensive. 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. Suitable below powerlines. 

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

Bog method 

Seed remains viable for at least 2 years. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes