Phragmites

Classification
Kingdom – Plantae
Division – Magnoliophyta
Class –
Order –
Family –
Genus species – Phragmites australis

Phragmites australis is an invasive wetland grass. Invasive plants grow quickly, out-competing and displacing other plant species.  Phragmites can spread rapidly.  An individual plant may spread through its underground stems by up to 15 feet per year. 

Phragmites is often used as an ornamental grass in homeowners' lawns, but the plant easily escapes "captivity" and invades other ecosystems. Phragmites is an aggressive plant, readily outgrowing its competitors in areas with shallow standing water. In the quarry bottom, Phragmites is gradually displacing cattails from the shallow water habitats. 

 

 


A patch of Phragmites in the Quarry Bottom.