Attack of the Common Reed Grass

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Attack of the Common Reed Grass!
The Pheasant Branch Conservancy is being invaded
by an alien species! Common reed grass is
quickly spreading within the marsh, displacing
native plant species and degrading the habitat
for wildlife!
Efforts to control the species The City of
Middleton is working to control stands of common
reed grass found in the Pheasant Branch
Conservancy. To compensate for filling a small
amount of wetland when the bike trail was
created, the city is funding a project that is
evaluating different methods for controlling the
species. Techniques that are being evaluated
include herbicide treatments (using different
types of herbicide and different treatment
methods), mowing treatments, and a combination of
mowing and herbicide treatments. Findings from
this study will be used by volunteers and city
staff to control stands of common reed grass
within the Conservancy.
Common Reed Grass (Phragmites australis) Common
reed grass is a tall (up to 20 feet!), perennial
grass with feather-like plumes at the top of the
stems. Two strains occur within Wisconsin. The
native strain forms small stands that co-exist
with other wetland plant species, and also
provide valuable food and cover for animals. A
strain introduced from Europe is very aggressive
and can form large, impenetrable stands. These
stands are so dense that other wetland plants
cannot survive within them, and animals have
difficultly moving through them. These dense
stands result in a loss of plant diversity and
habitat structure (i.e., ratio of open water to
cover, plants of varying height), which is
required by a variety of birds and mammals for
foraging and nesting.
B
A
C
Common reed grass in winter (A) and summer (B).
An individual plant (introduced strain),
approximately 17 feet long (C). Shoots are sent
up approximately one foot apart from the rhizome
(underground root system).
Some characteristics of the native and introduced
strains
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Herbicide application techniques being evaluated
as part of this study (1) treatment of cut
stems bundled together, (2) bloody glove
(wicking) technique, and (3) application with a
backpack sprayer.
Native Introduced

• Leaves are yellow-green
• Leaf sheaths are loose and fall off easily in the
  fall
• Base of stem (without leaf sheath) in summer is
  reddish-brown
• Stems are smooth and shiny, and often have dark
  spots
• Low stem density
• Slow expansion rate

• Leaves are dark green or gray
• Leaf sheaths stay tightly clasped to the stem
• Base of stem is tan in summer
• Stems are rough and dull with ribs you can feel
• High stem density
• Rapid expansion rate

Yellow loosestrife within dead stems of common
reed grass
Wild rice seed heads
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Native species returning to areas where common
reed grass has been controlled (4) wild rice,
(5) common burreed in flower, (6) yellow
loosestrife (inset in flower).
A typical native wetland community, containing a
variety of native plants of varying sizes and
structures. This community provides animals with
a variety of plants to feed on and hide in, and
animals can easily move among the stems.
A community dominated by common reed grass. Note
the lack of diversity in plants and structure.
Also note the high stem density, which makes
movement through this community difficult.
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