Phragmites australis

Plant Details

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General Information

Scientific name: Phragmites australis

Also known as: Common Reed

Images: Google Images

Plant Properties

Layer: Water

Format: Smal

Height: 3.60 m

Width: 3.00 m

Growth Rate: Fast

Leaf: -

Growth conditions

USDA Hardiness: 4-10

Soil Moisture:
Moist, Wet

Soil:
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)

pH:
Acid Neutral Basic

Light:
Half shade, Sun

Usage properties

Edible part:
Root, Trunk, Seed, Sweetener, Leaves

Edibility:
(5)

Medicinal:
(2)

Features:
Basket-making, Biomass, Insulation, Fibers, Paper, Carbon farming

Description

During the growth process, the root is best consumed raw or cooked, as it has a pleasant taste and texture. The root can be dried, ground, and used to make porridge. Young shoots can also be eaten raw or cooked - they are most delicious before they form leaves. Additionally, the partially unfolded leaves can be used as a vegetable, or dried and processed into powder and mixed with grain flour. The stems of the plant contain proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, and minerals. The seeds can be eaten raw, cooked, or ground into flour. They are nutritious but small and difficult to separate from the hull. The stems yield a sugary substance that can be extracted by boiling them and thickening the water. This sugar has a sweet, licorice-like flavor and can be eaten both raw and cooked. The gum that comes from the stems can be rolled into small candies and eaten, and the powder from dried stems can be used to make marshmallows.

Harvest Data

Start Harvest: 01/12

End of Harvest: 28/02

Guilds

Guild Information

Click on a plant in the diagram for more information.

Guild Details

Guild	Description
Mentha aquatica Water mint	Mentha aquatica can enhance the moisture retention of the soil while providing aromatic foliage that may deter pests.
Nasturtium officinale Watercress	Nasturtium officinale can improve water quality by naturally filtering pollutants and providing edible leaves and flowers.
Potamogeton lucens Broad-Leaved Pondweed	Potamogeton lucens is beneficial in aquatic ecosystems, providing habitat for aquatic life and improving biodiversity.
Myriophyllum spicatum Water Milfoil	By planting different cultivars, diversity within the ecosystem increases, allowing for greater resilience against pests and diseases.
Mentha x villosa alopecuroides Mentha bowles’s mint	This species of mint can provide ground cover, reducing weed growth while adding flavorful leaves for culinary uses.