Phragmites sp.
Common reed, carrizo, Carrizo
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Perennial · Native
Phragmites sp. (Common reed) is a native California perennial in the Poaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Arundo: Phragmites has smooth lemma on silky-hairy spikelet axis; Arundo has hairy lemma on smooth axis.; vs Typha: Phragmites has feathery plumes; Typha (cattail) has brown cylindrical seed heads.; vs Cortaderia: Phragmites grows in marshes up to 12 feet; Cortaderia forms massive dry-ground clumps.; vs Leymus: Phragmites has silky feathery plumes in wetlands; Leymus has wheat-like spikes in drier areas.; vs Bromus: Phragmites reaches 12 feet with feathery plumes; Bromus is much shorter with drooping spikelets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Phragmites sp. native to California?
Yes. Phragmites sp. is native to California (recorded as native).
What plant family does Phragmites sp. belong to?
Phragmites sp. is in the Poaceae family, genus Phragmites.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.