Alternate name
Australian Reed
Stronghold population
False
Regionally significant/rationale
False
Restricted distribution/rationale
False
Local distribution
Widespread in wet coastal forest on sandy and muddy alluviums
Known location
City-wide (coastal)
General ecology
This species inhabits stationary or slow moving water bodies, creeks, streams, channels, drains, swamps and seasonally inundated areas. Grows mainly in freshwater but tolerates slightly brackish waters.
Specific ecology
An important component of wetland ecosystems, it gives cover to animals and helps to prevent wave or stream erosion. This reed is important in removing nutrients within ecosystems by assisting with urban stormwater runoff and wastewater cleansing.
Habitat comment
The native reed is an important component in wetland ecosystems, providing cover and habitat for native species. It also stabilises banks to minimise erosion and can filter water entering waterways, removing excess nutrients.
Management
These reeds have been used in artificial wetlands to remediate waste water, as they have a very active root zone that works in conjunction with bacterial biofilms to remove nutrients in the waters that they grow in.
Reproduction
This species is spread mainly through vegetative means (i.e. having the ability to produce growth in plants), but seeds are produced in some habitats.
Description
The native reed (Phragmites australis) is a native perennial, grows up to 4m high and develops an extensive root system. Stems are rigid with many nodes, up to 15cm in diameter.
Species comments
Reeds were used by Aboriginal groups for various purposes including rafts made from layered and bound stems, baskets made from the leaves and long, light spears made from the stems.
