| Phragmites karka | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Genus: | Phragmites |
| Species: | P. karka |
| Binomial name | |
| Phragmites karka | |
| Synonyms [3] | |
List
| |
Phragmites karka, the tall reed or common reed, is a species of flowering plant in the grass family. It is native to West Africa. [3]
| Language | Name | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 卡开芦 [4] | Pinyin: Kǎ kāi lú |
| Javanese | Prumpung | |
| Sundanese | Bayongbong | |
| Madurese | Parongpong | |
| Japanese | 背高葦 [5] | Seitaka Ashi |
This species has a widespread distribution that includes West Africa, Southern Arabian Peninsula, Kenya, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands. [3] It is also present in New Zealand, where it is categorised as an invasive weed. [3] [6]
It is a herbaceous, perennial species with a rhizomatous geophyte (underground storage organ) and primarily grows in the tropical regions during the dry season. During the winter, it is deciduous. [3] [7]
Plants can grow to 4–10 metres in height, with a diameter of 15-25mm. [8]
The species is a fast-growing aquatic plant, often found in swamps, riverbanks and standing water, usually at elevations below 1,000 m. [8] [9]
Locally, this species is utilised as a source of building and construction material, and as food. It is often planted near rivers to purify water, and as an anchor against soil erosion. [8] [1] The young shoots of this plant can be cooked and eaten, like bamboo or asparagus. The young leaves can also be used as fodder. [8] [1] The grass is also use for thatching and making screens, baskets, brooms, hats, mats, paper and reeds for musical instruments and fuel. [1]
In the Philippines, the panicles of this species are bunched-up in a fan-shape to create a broom, with the culms being tightly bound to a central bamboo piece. [10]
This widespread, fast-growing species is classified by the IUCN as Least Concern. [1]
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