What is wrong with Phragmites?
Phragmites grows rapidly, and each fall, plant material dies back, creating large concentrations of tinder-dry vegetation that increase the potential for fast-spreading fires that can threaten residential and commercial developments on surrounding uplands.
What is Phragmites australis used for?
2010, Swearingen and Saltonstall 2010). Phragmites australis has a moderate beneficial effect in the Great Lakes. Potential: In Europe, Phragmites is grown commercially and used for thatching, fodder for livestock, and cellulose production (Swearingen and Saltonstall 2010).
What eats Phragmites australis?
The rhizome miners, large wainscot (Rhizedra lutosa): The large wainscot moth is one of the few insects in North America that attacks Phragmites rhizomes. First the larvae feed on young shoots, then dig into the rhizomes where they eat, grow, and fill their home with droppings until it is a hollowed husk.
How can you tell the difference between native and invasive Phragmites?
Furthermore, the stems of invasive Phragmites are typically a dull greenish-tan color, whereas native stems often display a reddish or purplish tone. However, invasive Phragmites produce stolons (spreading horizontal stems) that can at times also appear reddish.
Does anything eat Phragmites?
Because of this, phragmites and other plants are called primary producers. They produce their own food. What eats it? Waterfowl such as the mallard, the Canada goose, and the wood duck all eat the seeds of this plant.
Can you eat Phragmites australis?
A sweet liquorice-like taste[95], it can be eaten raw or cooked[62]. The stems can be boiled in water and then the water boiled off in order to obtain the sugar[178]. A sugary gum that exudes from the stems can be rolled into balls and eaten as sweets[183].
What is the scientific name for Phragmites?
Phragmites australisPhragmites australis / Scientific name
Can you eat water reeds?
Native Americans would dry and process these stems into a fine powder, which when mixed with a little water and roasted, can create a marshmallow like substance. The shoots can be cooked in a stir fry much like bamboo shoots. The root can be eaten raw, or cooked in the same way as a potato.
Can you eat giant reed?
Edible Uses Rhizome – raw or cooked[84]. The rhizome can be dried and ground into a powder to make bread, usually in conjunction with cereal flours[7, K]. It can also be roasted or boiled[84].
How do I get rid of invasive Phragmites?
Creating multiple stresses on the plants is the most effective way to control phragmites. Herbicide treatment in conjunction with prescribed fire, mechanical treatment or flooding have proven to be effective in controlling phragmites and allowing native plants to reestablish.
Does anything eat phragmites?
What is Phragmites australis?
Phragmites australis is a wetland grass with a feathery plume at the tip of a tall, leafy stem, and is one of the most widely distributed flowering plants in the world. It currently has 3 recognized subspecies: one European (subsp.
What is the size of a phragmite ligule?
Ligules of the native are more than 1 mm (1-1.7 mm) (Swearingen and Saltonstall 2010). The native Phragmites is less sturdy and therefore its ligule is more likely to shred and fray by midsummer (MNFI 2016).
How does Phragmites affect the Great Lakes?
Furthermore, Phragmites alters wetland hydrology through increased evaporation and trapping of sediments, causing marsh soils to dry out (Avers et al. 2010, Swearingen and Saltonstall 2010). Phragmites australis has a moderate socio-economic impact in the Great Lakes.
How big does a Phragmites stolon grow?
However, non-native Phragmites has stolons that can grow up to 50 feet or more in a season and may be red, also a little red may occasionally be seen on the culms of the introduced lineage but it is usually limited to lower nodes, which may lead to confusion (MNFI 2016, Swearingen and Saltonstall 2010).