Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.

Locations ofPhragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Poaceae
Botanical Name
Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.
Common Name
Common Reed
Synonym(s)
Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. ssp. australis
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.
Comments
The map contains all records for the genus Phragmites in Virginia, where it predominately occurs as a highly invasive, non-native taxon, P. australis. Recent studies, however, have shown that a native genotype exists as well (P. americanus [Saltonstall, Peterson & Soreng] A. Haines), though very infrequent. Although further field and herbarium work is needed, the map above is undoubtedly an accurate representation of the distribution of Phragmites australis, the overwhelmingly predominant genotype in our area.
Habitat
Freshwater and oligohaline (rarely mesohaline) tidal marshes, disturbed tidal shores, salt scrub, interdune swales, dredge-spoil deposits, ditches, and other wet, disturbed habitats; a noxious weed in our coastal regions, where it aggressively colonizes marshes and other wetlands, forming extensive monospecific stands that exclude native species. Common in the estuarine zones of the Coastal Plain; frequent elsewhere in the Coastal Plain; infrequent (though sometimes locally abundant) in the Piedmont and mountains.
Native Status
Introduced

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