Mn Department of Agriculture Invasive Common Reed Classification Review

Common Name: Non-native Phragmites
Alternate Names:Invasive behemothic reed, invasive giant reedgrass, invasivePhragmites
Scientific Name:Phragmites australissubspecies australis(Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.
Similar Species: Native common reed -Phragmites australis(Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.
Legal Status: Prohibited - Control

Efforts must be fabricated to forestall seed maturation and dispersal of plants into new areas. Additionally, no transportation, propagation, or auction of these plants is immune. Failure to comply may outcome in enforcement action by the canton or local municipality. Minnesota Noxious Weed Law.

Groundwork

There are 2 varieties ofPhragmites australis in Minnesota. The first is the variety native to North America that is not invasive. The 2d is an introduced diverseness (subspeciesaustralis - A.Grand.A. invasive mutual reed) that has been shown to be very aggressive and is responsible for displacing populations of native common reed throughout the United states, including Minnesota. This semi-aquatic perennial grass species was first introduced to North America in the 1700s or early 1800s along the eastern seaboard. Over the course of the 20th century, information technology has spread across the entire continent, invading wetlands, lake shores, streambanks and marshy areas. Both the native and invasive varieties expect similar and it takes some familiarity to acquire the differences betwixt both plants.

Description

• A warm flavour, perennial, semi-aquatic grass species that can reach heights of up to 15 anxiety and forms dense clonal stands containing both living and dead shoots from previous growing seasons.
• Stems are hollow, ridged, and rough in texture, lack fungal spots and cherry internodes (common on native multifariousness stems), are green with yellowish nodes during the growing season and tan/yellowish when dry during the wintertime.
• Leaves are blue-light-green, 15 - xx inches long, 1 - one.v inches wide, and are arranged all along one side of the stem. Leaves adhere tightly to the stem throughout the growing season and remain every bit long as the stem stays standing.
• Flowers develop in early Baronial at the tip of each stalk and form dense feathery panicles that are typically purple (early development) to gilded (late flavour/winter) in color.
• Flowering stalks produce thousands of grayish seeds covered in fine silky hairs that requite them a fluffy appearance.
• Below ground, root growth is extensive. Roots and rhizomes can spread more than 10 feet laterally and several anxiety deep during a single growing season.
• Information technology isIMPORTANT that the differences betwixt the native species and not-native subspecies are clearly identified before deeming a site infested by invasive common reed. There are many online resources available that provide comparisons of both plants. Please visit the National Park Service'due south Plant Conservation Alliance'southward web page or Michigan State University Extension datato acquire the differences.

Common reed, photo past Caleb Slemmons, National Ecological Observatory Network, Bugwood.org	Plants, photograph by Leslie J. Mehrhoff Academy of Connecticut, Bugwood.org	Seedhead, photograph by Caleb Slemmons, National Ecological Observatory Network, Bugwood.org
Ligule, photo by Caleb Slemmons, National Ecological Observatory Network, Bugwood.org	Infestation, photo by John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org	Infestation, photo by Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org

Habitat

Non-native phragmites can be found in a variety of aquatic to semi-aquatic habitats throughout the state. This found is more than probable to be found in disturbed sites where soil has been exposed or nutrient inputs are high such every bit roadsides, gravel pits, developed shorelines, disturbed wetlands and marshes, flooded areas, eroded streambanks, etc.

Means of spread and distribution

Not-native phragmites spreads to new areas by both seeds and vegetative means. Vegetative dispersal typically occurs through the movement of root fragments along eroded streams or contaminated soils. Seed dispersal occurs through wind, water, animal and man activities. Existing stands spread horizontally past a vast network of cloak-and-dagger rhizomes which can grow up to 10 feet in a unmarried growing season.

Impacts

Not-native phragmites grows and spreads aggressively by producing loftier numbers of seeds, an extensive organization of rhizomes, and by out-competing native plant species, thus creating large/dumbo stands with low biological diversity. Currently, a very small pct of Minnesota'southward native wetlands exist throughout the state and invasion past this species puts these few highly valuable remaining habitats at great risk.

Prevention and Management

• A sound management plan is necessary to manage this species and will have a delivery of many years to ensure that the population has been eliminated or at least under control. Landowners that piece of work together with their adjacent neighbors, lake associations and local governments to develop a long-term regional direction plan have the greatest success reducing this species over fourth dimension. Direction plans that emphasize native species restoration following treatments have been shown to sustain management well into the hereafter and prevent new populations from developing. New infestations are less costly to control and easier to eradicate, thus knowing how to place both native and non-native varieties is essential. Once mutual reed becomes established, information technology can be expensive to control and requires a significant amount of labor. Landowners that alive next to or near established invasive common reed populations should continually exist on the await-out to eradicate seedlings and small-scale plants invading their properties. Anyone that has been working or recreating in an infestation of invasive common reed should take care to ensure that all equipment, footwear and vesture are gratis of any seed or root fragments.
• Large populations that are accessible by machinery tin be mowed several times per growing season to reduce seed product. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that the institute will be sufficiently managed by this method alone. Due to the nature of spreading rhizomes and the hazard of spreading seeds or root fragments to new areas by mowing equipment, mechanical control is not recommended unless used in conjunction with fire, grazing, and/or herbicide treatments.
• Controlled burns after the plants flower tin can be a useful approach to controlling large stands of invasive common reed. Burning every year or every other yr on well-established stands may be necessary to significantly reduce the population density and regeneration. Burn down is not a stand-alone management option and usually works best in conjunction with herbicide applications. Burns that are prescribed before an herbicide application can expose new growth, making it easier to target plants for successful herbicide translocation. Burns following herbicide handling can also be beneficial by removing dead stems and soil litter, thus encouraging germination of native plants. Reestablishment of native plants provides the all-time long-term prevention for time to come invasion. Make sure to contact the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) to learn more than well-nigh control burning practices and regulations.
• Intensive grazing of invasive mutual reed stands can help to reduce seed product and foster development of other more desirable plants. However, much like burning and mowing, grazing alone will not provide long-term sustainable control of the population unless information technology is part of an integrated approach. Furthermore, depending on the infestation, grazing may only be practical during droughts or over the winter months when livestock can access the surface area. Late winter or early on season grazing followed by herbicide treatment and a prescribed burn can significantly control invasive mutual reed and foster regrowth of native plants.
• Application of an approved foliar herbicide that translocates its active ingredients into the root arrangement is the most widely used method for managing invasive common reed in North America. Foliar treatments work best when applied on new growth early in the growing season and after flowering in the late summer and fall. Awarding of approved herbicides after grazing or mowing can besides provide not bad results considering new growth is exposed and easier to treat. Some enquiry has shown that late winter/early on spring grazing (or early season mowing) and then followed past herbicide application can be very constructive. Burning post-obit a tardily summer or early autumn herbicide application can likewise be very advantageous and will promote regeneration of native plants. Treatments volition need to exist administered for several growing seasons until the population is eliminated or controlled. If using herbicide treatments, cheque with your local University of Minnesota Extension amanuensis, co-op, or certified landscape care expert for assistance and recommendations. At that place are several businesses throughout the state with certified herbicide applicators that tin be hired to perform chemic applications.
• Due to the fact that invasive common reed is a semi-aquatic to aquatic species, information technology is Important to utilise only herbicides that are labeled and canonical for use in or effectually water. If treating plants near water with herbicide, delight be aware of the state pesticide laws and apply only products labeled for aquatic use. If treating plants below the high water marking, please contact the MN DNR to acquire more almost any restrictions. No permit is needed if plants are not in continuing water. Continuing water is defined as the ordinary high water mark. An invasive aquatic plant management permit is needed if plants are in standing water. To get a permit, contact your expanse aquatic invasive species specialist.

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Source: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/plants/pestmanagement/weedcontrol/noxiouslist/commonreed

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