Japanese reed is an East Asian relative of common reed that sends long runners across the ground, rooting at every joint. It grows along mountain streams and sandy streambanks in East Asia and is not native to North America.
Appearance
- Growth form
- A perennial grass usually 5–6½ ft (1.5–2 m) tall, sometimes up to 10 ft (3 m). Its runners creep over the ground or through shallow water and have dense white hairs at the joints.
- Leaves
- Long, pointed leaves 4–12 in (10–30 cm) long and about 1 in (2–3 cm) wide. The upper part of the leaf sheath is often reddish.
Look-alikes
Common reedPhragmites australis
Common reed spreads by underground stems and lacks aboveground runners. Japanese reed has leafy runners lying on the surface with white-haired joints, and is usually a bit shorter.
Why they get mixed upThey are close relatives in the same genus with very similar leaves and plumes.
Where it lives
- Typical habitats
- Sandy streambanks
- Mountain streams
- Shallow water
- Range
- Japan, Korea, northeastern China, and the Russian Far East. It is not native to North America.
Conservation
- IUCN Red List
- NENot EvaluatedNot yet assessed
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