Publication: Nomencl. Bot. (ed. 2) 1: 143. 1840.

Origin: Introduced from Eurasia and northern Africa

Herbarium search: CPNWH

Notes: FNA24 (online): "Phragmites australis is one of the most widely distributed flowering plants, growing in most temperate and tropical regions of the world, spreading quickly by rhizomes. Once established, it is difficult to eradicate.

Phragmites australis (Invasive). The appropriate name for these plants is not clear although they probably originated in Europe. The name Pragmites australis, and hence the name Phragmites australis subsp. australis, is based on plants collected from what is now Sydney, Autralia. Unfortunately, there has been no study of plants from Australia, nor of plants from Europe, so it is not clear what name to use for the European plants. Nevertheless because of the importance from a management point of view of being able to distinguish the invasive strain from the native strains, names have been treated for the strains in North America that are not invasive. For additional information, see the invasive plants network site and their page for distinguishing the invasive strain."

Last updated 12/30/2023 by David Giblin.