# Reed (*Phragmites australis*)

Reeds are tall, slender plants that grow near water. They have long, green stems and fluffy seed heads that sway in the wind.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Wetlands
- **Also known as:** Phragmites

![Reed](https://inaturalist-open-data.s3.amazonaws.com/photos/51626641/medium.jpg)

Photo: Douglas Goldman, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [iNaturalist](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/51626641)

## Appearance

The Reed is a tall, slender plant with stiff green stems that often turn golden in autumn. It has long, narrow leaves and distinctive feathery, purplish-brown flower heads. It stands out with its dense, towering growth along waterways.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Liliopsida
- **Order:** Poales
- **Family:** Poaceae
- **Genus:** Phragmites

## Interesting facts

- A single reed plant can spread its roots to cover an area larger than a car.
- Reeds are one of the fastest-growing plants in many wetland ecosystems.
- Reeds can grow over 15 feet tall, taller than an adult giraffe!
- Some ancient cultures used reeds to build entire boats and even houses.

## Special abilities

- **Water Purifier:** Reed can absorb pollutants from water through its roots, helping to clean natural environments.
- **Soil Anchor:** Reed has extensive underground rhizomes that form a strong net, preventing soil erosion along shores.
- **Shelter Builder:** Reed forms dense stands, providing vital hiding spots and nesting sites for many wetland animals.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 100-400 cm
- **Spread:** 50-200 cm
- **Flower Size:** 0.2-0.5 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late summer to fall
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Wind

## Ecological connections

- **Shelter:** Reed Warbler (*Acrocephalus scirpaceus*) — Builds nests hidden within dense reed beds.
- **Shelter:** Mallard (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — Uses reeds for nesting and protection from predators.
- **Shelter:** [Water Vole](https://www.snappit.app/explore/water-vole) (*Arvicola amphibius*) — Lives among reeds, feeding on stems and leaves.
- **Eaten by:** [European Rabbit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-rabbit) (*Oryctolagus cuniculus*) — Young reed shoots can be a food source.

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
- [Grass-Like](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grass-like): Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Medicinal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/medicinal): Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.
- [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
- [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)
- [Wetland Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/wetland-plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Enjoy looking at reeds from a safe distance and avoid stepping on them to protect their habitat.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Reed?

Compare seed heads, stem shape, how leaves attach, and the joint where leaf meets stem. A patch of mown lawn rarely shows enough for an exact ID. Grass Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Reed?

100-400 cm

### How wide does Reed spread?

50-200 cm

### How big are the flowers on Reed?

0.2-0.5 cm

### When does Reed bloom?

Late summer to fall

### Is Reed edible?

Yes

### Is Reed toxic?

None

### What is Reed's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Reed: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/reed)