The genus Phragmites is well known today
around the world as the common reed or
marsh grass P. australis. Tall and tough, in
some regions it grows higher than 5m/16~ft
and its dense, tangled rootstock spreads
rapidly. Phragmites fringes not only lakes
and slow rivers but also brackish water, and
is regarded in many areas as an invasive
pest. It has stout un branched stems and
long, slim leaves with bases that sheath the
stem as it grows