 Photo Courtesy of Herbarium Photographer |
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| Common Name(s) | Common Reed | ||||
| Scientific Name | Phragmites australis | ||||
| Family | Poaceae | ||||
| Location/Vegetative Zone | Primary Dunes | ||||
| Flowering Period | July to September | ||||
| Identifying Characteristics | Grows 2-6 meters high, brown or purple feathery foliage | ||||
Description
- Grows 2-6 meters high
- It grows in extensive beds as wide as 1 kilometer
- The leaves are numerous, long and pointed, reaching 20-50 cm in length
- Perennial grass with brown or purple feathery foliage
- Leaves are brown and the flowers are a dense, dark purple
Location
Edible Uses
- Can be ground into a powder, moistened and roasted like marshmallows
Cultural Uses
- Stems and leaves
- Used in many areas for thatching roofs and insulation
- Used to make baskets, mats, and paper
- Used as bristles on brooms
- Can be fashioned into an Iranian flute-like instrument called the Ney
- Burnt as fuel
- Used as fertilizer
- Flowering stalks used for rope making
- Ground up and mixed with mud to make plaster
Sources
“Common Reed: Phragmites australis“. Natural Medicinal Herbs. Spiritual Knowledge, Led Ziarovsky. Web.
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