Phragmites australis, The Problem Plant

Yes, there is a native variety in MIchigan of Phragmites australis.  The native Phragmites is a part of the well balanced ecosystem. It has co-existed in this area for eons. Native Americans used native Phragmites for arrow shafts, musical instruments, ceremonial objects and the leaves and stems were used for constructing mats.

The non native Phragmite australis is nothing like our MIchigan variety. It is a much denser and taller plant. Brought to the United States in the early 20th century from European ships, this plant was thought to be first entering our area through the packing materials and ballasts discharge into the coastal wetland areas. The non native, once it gained a foothold here, had the edge over anything native because the insects, diseases and forging animals that normally would keep it in check were not present. The once rich wetlands along the eastern coast line became barren and unfriendly areas with little value to wildlife or water quality: a modern day travesty, a monoculture, quickly spreading westward to the Midwest.

Phragmites spread quickly due to its rhizomes root system, which can spread more than 6-8 feet in every direction, each year. Cutting, disking or pulling only exacerbates the problem, because broken or fragmented rhizomes quickly grow into new plants. 80% of the plants biomass is under ground. Each July, purple-brown seed headed plumes, capable of producing up to 2000 seeds are formed on the 12-15 foot high plants.

Newly formed stands spread quickly and aggressively. The best time to stop the spread is on the newly forming areas because larger areas require intense and costly measures. Because the problem of Phragmites has been neglected for so long, it has amassed huge areas in the State of MIchigan. Choking out once viable wetlands, hunting and fishing areas and lakeshore and waterfront views, ditch and water catching basins, these plants are changing the landscape in Michigan.

Current methods used for removing Phragmites are:

1. Glyphosate based herbicides.
2. Fire
3. Mechanical removal.

These methods will be further discussed on Friday's blog.