Reed is fantastic! A species of tall grass growing to around 4m and known scientifically as Phragmites australis - it is one of the major components of Langford’s success as a developing wetland site.
After our re-development work last year on Phase 1, the balancing pond and silt lagoon 7, it was only a matter of time before the reed started it’s re-colonisation of the area and now, well into it’s first growing season, it is clear that this incredible plant is doing very well indeed….
Reed rhizomes (roots) buried in the soil have been sprouting thousands of shoots across the area, however an unexpected source of new shoots has been cut stems of old reed that have somehow managed to root themselves (presumably from a node) and start growing!
Our planted seedlings have taken well too, the first of which have doubled in size since they were planted in May. Around 6000 seedlings have been planted by our volunteers since then – a huge effort that is already showing great results.
And the remaining mature reed is doing it’s bit too, producing plentiful seed heads (panicles) and sending out massive runners across large distances, each growing new shoots along the way. Here are some photos to show just how great reed is….
The vivid purple colour of numerous panicles is not only good news for our reed development, it is quite beautiful too….
A good example of how several shoots can grow from a single parent plant....
This runner was over 10m long!
And this one has grown out of the water, across dry land and into the water on the other side of the bank....