Where does it grow?

Common reed is found in disturbed and non-disturbed (pristine) sites that hold water, including roadside ditches and depressions. It is typically found in or near wetlands.

What is the distribution in Washington State?

• If you think you may have seen this weed, please contact your county weed coordinator or us at noxiousweeds@agr.wa.gov.

• Distribution map not available at this time.

How do I control it?

General control methods: Care must be taken not to produce new plants, entire plant material should be removed, since rhizomes can produce new plants.

Cultural: Disking could be employed, however, disking could potentially result in an increase of plants, since fragments of the rhizome can produce new plants. Burning does not reduce the growing ability of Common reed unless root burn occurs, which is difficult.

Herbicide:

Mechanical: Cutting has been used successfully for control. Since it is a grass, cutting several times during a season, at the wrong times, may increase stand density . However, if cut just before the end of July, most of the food reserves produced that season are removed with the aerial portion of the plant, reducing the plant's vigor. This regime may eliminate a colony if carried out annually for several years. Care must be taken to remove cut shoots to prevent regrowth.

Biological: Grazing has not been successful, cattle consume only the above ground portions of the plant.

Are there plants that may be confused with Common Reed?

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