Trending: common reed (Phragmites australis) — 59 observations this week
iNaturalist Community
Invasive Species
Common reed can aggressively take over wetlands, riverbanks, and even roadside ditches near your home or local park, crowding out native plants and reducing habitat for birds and wildlife you might enjoy watching.
Common reed is a tall, feathery-topped grass that grows in wetlands and along water edges almost everywhere in the world. Right now, lots of people are out noticing and photographing it, which helps scientists track where it's spreading. This is especially important because an invasive form of common reed from Europe has been taking over North American wetlands, pushing out native plants.
Key Findings
59 research-grade observations were submitted to iNaturalist in a single week, indicating high observer activity and seasonal visibility.
Common reed ranks among the most observed plant species platform-wide this week, reflecting its widespread distribution across multiple continents.
Phragmites australis includes both native and invasive genetic strains, making citizen-science observation data valuable for tracking the spread of the aggressive non-native lineage.
chevron_right Technical Summary
Common reed (Phragmites australis) is one of the most observed plants on iNaturalist this week, with 59 research-grade sightings submitted by citizen scientists. This widespread wetland grass is drawing significant attention from naturalists across its range.
Abstract Preview
common reed is among the most observed plant species this week with 59 research-grade observations.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
Was this useful?
Urban Tree Canopy Reduces Heat-Related Mortality by 39% in European Cities
Trees in your local park or street aren't just pretty — they are literally keeping people alive during heatwaves, and planting even a modest number of the ri...
Phragmites australis, known as the common reed, is a species of flowering plant in the grass family Poaceae. It is a wetland grass that can grow up to 20 feet tall and has a cosmopolitan distribution worldwide.