Reed
size:
1 to 2 meters
color:
blue-gray
blossoms:
July through October
reproduction:
seed spread by wind or water, root stocks and suckers
life span:
perennial
- Dut: Riet
- Lat: Phragmites australis
- Eng: Common Reed
- Fre: Roseau; Phragmite
- Ger: Schilfrohr
print
- Common reed, foto fitis, sytske dijksen
Common Reed
Perhaps one of the most unusual way reed was used was for drawing: Vincent van Gogh made his pen drawings using reed stems which were cut to a sharp point. Common reed is the largest and best known grass species in the Netherlands. If you see it growing, you can assume that the soil is damp. It can even tolerate brackish water. Reed has razor sharp leaves, which produce nasty slashes should you run a leaf through your hand. The hollow stems transport air to the plant parts standing under water. Therefore, it is essential not to cut reed below the water line, otherwise the plant will literally drown.
On Texel
Texel purifies its sewage water on the island. The last stage of the purification process is a biological filter, a so-called helophyte filter. First, billions of water fleas remove the flakes of mud, clearing up the turbidity. The numerous bacteria living around the roots of the aquatic plants then convert pollutants into useful nutrients for itself and the plants. During the final stage, the water flows through plants such as reed which add oxygen to the water. The end result is unpolluted water which is discharged into surrounding ditches.
- Important for nature
- Reed bunting on a reed plume, Jeroen Reneerkens
Common reed grows everywhere along banks, particularly in nutrient-rich fresh water. It makes a good place for animals to hide and make their nests. All kinds of birds live among reeds, such as bitterns, water rails, bluethroats, reed buntings and sedge warblers. Many insects and mushrooms are also associated with the plant.
- Important for people
- reed mower, foto fitis, sytske dijksen
People use reed in almost unlimited ways. The originally freshwater tidal region the Biesbosch was known for its long, high-quality reed, used for thatching roofs. Reed was cheap in those days. A thatched roof was actually a sign of less prosperity. The wealthier the farmer, the less thatched roof he had and the more roof tiles. Nowadays, it's just the opposite. Roof thatching is very labor intensive.
Reed is also used for weaving baskets and chair seats.
A more modern application is using reed in the last stage of purifying sewage water. The partially cleaned water runs through a marsh filled with plants, whereby reed is the most important.
See also
Info
Copyright Ecomare
