Reed grass

Profile

Family

Poaceae

Habit

perennial

Height

3.3 m

Spread

3 m

Growth

very fast

Lifespan

20 years

First yield

after 4 years

Hardiness

zone 5–11

Shade tolerance

partial shade

Soil

Sand, Silt, Loam

Soil moisture

very moist – in water

pH

4 – 9

Synonyms

Arundo phragmites, Gelber Zuckerrohr

Flowering & harvest

Times apply to the northern hemisphere in a temperate climate and shift with altitude and cultivar.

Uses

Edible: Wurzel (roh, gekocht, getrocknet&gemahlen); Junge Triebe/Sprossen (roh, gekocht); Blätter (Gemüse, getrocknet+gemahlen); Samen (roh, gekocht, gemahlen); Stängel (zuckerhaltiges Harz, lakritzartig) (roh, gekocht, als Pulver);

Medicinal: The leaves are used to treat bronchitis and cholera, and their ash is applied to foul-smelling wounds. A decoction of the flowers is used for treating cholera and food poisoning. The ash has a hemostatic effect. The stem acts as an antidote, antiemetic, febrifuge, and refrigerant. The root has various medicinal properties and is taken internally to treat diarrhea, fever, vomiting, cough with thick dark mucus, lung abscesses, urinary tract infections, and food poisoning (especially from seafood). Externally, it is mixed with plaster to treat bad breath and toothaches. The root is harvested in autumn, juiced, or dried for use in decoctions.

Other uses: The reed can provide large amounts of biomass, which is utilized in various ways. Annual yields of 40 to 63 tons per hectare have been reported. The plant is processed into alcohol for use as fuel, burned as fuel, and processed into fertilizer. It is rich in pentosans and can be used to produce furfural – with nodes and sheaths providing 6.6%, and underground parts over 13% of furfural. Pentosan content increases during the growing season, peaking in mature reeds. The reed can also be used to produce absolute alcohol, yeast for feed, and lactic acid. The stems are suitable for making homogeneous boards and can be processed into fine, fibrous material used as upholstery filling. They are used for roofing and can last for 100 years. Indigenous peoples use the stems and leaves for building shelters, grids, fences, arrows, weaving mats, carrying nets, basketry, insulation, fuel, cork substitutes, etc. The stem contains over 50% cellulose and is used to produce pulp for viscose and paper. The fibers from the leaves and stems are used in papermaking. The fibers, 0.8 - 3.0 mm long with a diameter of 5.0 - 30.5 µm, are harvested in summer, soaked in clear water for 24 hours, boiled in lye for 2 hours, and then shredded in a blender to make khaki-colored paper. The plant fibers are used to make ropes. Fibers from the flower stalks are suitable for making ropes. The leaves are used for basketry and mat weaving. A light green dye is obtained from the flowers. Freshly cut shoots are used as green manure. The flower heads are used as brooms. The plant can serve as a cork substitute. A wall plaster is made from the plant with mud. Thin stems of this reed were cut and crafted into quills for parchment, also serving as measuring rods. The plant has a strong, creeping rhizome useful for binding soil along streams. It is planted for flood control, stabilizing banks and gradually building up soil depth, raising the bank level.

Growing

A plant that is easy to grow in deep, moisture-retentive soils such as swamps and bogs. It also thrives well on the banks of streams, lakes, and ponds, in shallow water, ditches, and on damp fallow land. The plants can tolerate moderately salty water. Reportedly, the plant can withstand an annual rainfall ranging from 31 to 241 cm, an annual temperature between 6.6 and 26.6°C, and a pH level of 4.8 to 8.2. The plants are hardy to about -20°C. This species grows very rapidly and has a robust and invasive rhizome that can reach 10 meters or more. In wetlands, it can form very large stands. Once established, it is difficult to eradicate and is not suitable for planting in small areas. The flower heads are often used in dried flower arrangements. There are some named varieties selected for their decorative value.

Propagation

Sow seeds superficially in spring at a bright location. Keep the soil moist by placing the pot 3 cm deep in water. Germination usually occurs quite quickly. Transplant the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough and plant them out in summer. Division takes place in spring. Simply put, any root part with a bud will grow into a new plant. Larger sections can be planted directly into their final position. We have found that it is better to pot the smaller sections and let them continue to grow in partial shade in a cold frame until well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer.

Value for wildlife

Vögel nutzen Halme als Nistmaterial. Fische & Amphibien profitieren von Uferzonen.

Notable

Besonderheiten: wächst fast weltweit mit verschiedenen Unterarten in Sümpfen, an Ufern und in mäßig salzhaltigem Wasser bis 1m Wassertiefe; In Anden & Tibet bis auf 3000m; Auf nicht überfluteten Standorten zeigt das Schilfrohr bewegtes Grundwasser an; Verletzte Schilfrhizome sterben bei langanhaltender Überflutung ab; Hohes Grundwasser verhindert ein Tiefenwachstum der Rhizome;

Origin & habitat

Shallow water and moist soil, steering clear of highly impoverished soils and extremely acidic environments.

Damp environments near streams in dense vegetation and forests on hills and mountains throughout all regions of Japan south of Hokkaido.

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