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Greetings!
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Invasive phragmites seed heads in
winter
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Happy February, and we hope
you're still enjoying this beautiful Michigan winter--why not celebrate it by
participating in one of the many fantastic Partner Events coming
up? While you're out and about on your snowshoes or skis, try looking for the
"plumes" of invasive phragmites seed-heads, which can be very visible poking out
of the snow in places that are hard to reach in summer, like the wetlands where
phragmites is found. If you find any phragmites, please contact us so we can assist you with
identification, reporting, and proper disposal of seed heads. Seeds are an
important vector for phragmites spread, and a winter hike is a great way of
getting to the seeds to remove them without damaging fragile wetland soils and
vegetation. To get started, read more about invasive phragmites below,
or on our website.
Phragmites is one of
the Top 20 invasive plants in northwest
Michigan. The Top 20 list was developed in 2010, when ISN partners met and
discussed known invasive plants in the region and chose 20 that posed the
greatest threat to our fantastic habitats. Level of "importance" of these 20
plants varies within the region, though phragmites, Japanese
knotweed, Oriental bittersweet,
and garlic mustard have risen
to the top as very invasive species that are not completely established in the
landscape. The Top 20 list does not include Early Detection/Rapid Response
species--non-native plants that are causing problems in other,
similar areas, but are have not arrived or are not well established in northwest
Michigan. Early Detection species are at even higher priority than the Top 20
so we can act quickly to control them before they become firmly established and
do the damage to our habitats.
Finally, 4
reminders:1) If you're an Oryana Member: ISN's proposal is
a finalist for the annual grand program! Please read our project description, where we
outline a great plan for community involvement with invasive garlic mustard
removal and disposal, then head to the store and place your vote before April 15.
2) Know someone who'd like
to work for ISN or our partners? Send them to the ISN Employment Page.
3) If you'd like to view
past ISN E-news articles, check out our new archive page.
4) If you'd like more
updates on invasives species news, ISN Partner activities, and our amazing
northwest Michigan habitats, "like" us on
Facebook. Thanks!
Yours in Conservation,
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Get Involved! Upcoming
Opportunities
Partner Activities
Grand
Traverse County
Leelanau
County
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On the
Lookout for Invasive Phragmites (Phragmites australis)
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Invasive phragmites taking over the Saginaw Bay, MI.
Photo by John M. Randall, The Nature
Conservancy
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Key facts
Introduced: Through
solid ballast from ships in the late 1700s or early 1800s.
Key
ID Feature: Dense stands of tall stems with large "fluffy" seed
heads.
Interesting
tidbits: In its native range, phragmites has been used for everything
from thatching to musical instruments to food.
What
problems does it cause?
Like
most invasive plants on the Top 20 list for the region, phragmites forms
monocultures that replace native plants in high quality natural areas, which in
turn reduces critical food resources for birds, butterflies, and other wild
creatures. Invasive phragmites can "clog" wetlands; its incredibly numerous
stems and rhizomes catch sediments, eventually filling in small waterways. Its
height and thickness can prevent waterfowl from using invaded areas as a home or
a stopping point. These factors affect humans as well; it's more difficult to
access wetlands, views from waterside properties are impeded, and the dead stems
and leaves are extremely flammable, contributing to intense fires on the East
Coast and even in southern Michigan.
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Invasive phragmites seed head; note fluffy nature.
Photo by Elizabeth Czarapata
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What
does phragmites look like?
Phragmites is a tall grass, easily growing over 6 ft and
often up to 13 ft. Stems are light and hollow and often a dull yellow color.
Leaf bases clasp the stem, and leaf blades are between 10 and 20 in long. The
seed head is most easily identified, as it is very large, purple in spring, and
fluffy upon maturation of the seeds. There is a subspecies of phragmites that
is native to North America that can be very difficult to tell apart from the
invader; diagnosis often comes down to the length of ligules and
glumes (very small parts of leaves and fruits, respectively). Invasive
phragmites forms dense stands of stems and can spread by both seed and sprouting
from roots, rhizomes, and fallen stems. Phragmites grows in wetlands, ditches,
and stream banks.
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Invasive phragmites near East Lansing, MI. Photo by Jill
Fejszes, ISN
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How do I manage phragmites?
Early detection of small populations yields best
management results. Suggested control efforts for phragmites vary by site and
goals. Herbicide has generally been most effective, though there has been some
success with repeated cutting and flooding. Pulling is not recommended, as
phragmites can sprout from root and rhizome fragments, but clipping seed heads
in fall or winter can help minimize spread. You can find very thorough
treatment instructions using the Midwest Invasive Plant Network (MIPN) control database or the Michigan DNR.
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