Phragmites americanus (Saltonstall P.M. Peterson, & Soreng) A. Haines

Locations ofPhragmites americanus (Saltonstall P.M. Peterson, & Soreng) A. Haines in Virginia

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Detail

Family
Poaceae
Botanical Name
Phragmites americanus (Saltonstall P.M. Peterson, & Soreng) A. Haines
Common Name
American Common Reed
Synonym(s)
Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. ssp. americanus Saltonstall, P.M. Peterson & Soreng
Flora of Virginia Name/Status
Phragmites americanus (Saltonstall P.M. Peterson, & Soreng) A. Haines
Comments
The native Phragmites genotype; see comments under the map for Phragmites australis. With some difficulty, Phragmites americanus may be distinguished morphologically from P. australis; see Saltonstall, et al., in Sida 21:683-692 (2004). However, Haines (Botanical Notes 13, 2010) makes a reasonable argument for species status. In Virginia it occurs in fresh to oligohaline marshes along tidal rivers and is presently known from only a few stations. Further field and herbarium work will likely add additional records to the map. This species is relatively "well behaved" compared to the massively invasive P. australis; it typically occurs in small, loose colonies intermixed with other native tidal species.
Habitat
Freshwater to slightly oligohaline tidal marshes. Apparently uncommon or rare in the upper estuarine zones along rivers of the c. and n. Coastal Plain.
Native Status
Native

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