Phragmites karka (Retz.) Trin. ex Steud.

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation

Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident

M. Thulin et al. Flora of Somalia, Vol. 1-4 [updated 2008] https://plants.jstor.org/collection/FLOS

Morphology Stem

Stems 2–4(–10) m high

Morphology Leaves

Leaves 30–80 cm x 12–40 mm, flat, scabrid on the lower surface at least towards the tip, the tip attenuate and stiff (occasionally smooth beneath or with filiform tip)

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Panicle (20–)30–50 cm long, the lowest node often many-branched in a whorl, the branches bare of spikelets in the lower part

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets with rhachilla-hairs 4–7(–8) mm long, rather sparse; lower glume ovate, 2–4 mm long; upper glume narrowly to very narrowly elliptic, 4–6 mm long; first lemma (7.5–)10–12 mm long; fertile lemma 8.5–11 mm long.

Distribution

N1; S2, 3 tropical Africa, tropical Asia and northern Australia.

Ecology

Altitude up to 550 m.

Vernacular

Gul bilanwe (Somali).

Gramineae, W. D. Clayton, S. M. Phillips & S. A. Renvoize. Flora of Tropical East Africa. 1974

Morphology General Habit

Perennial reed, with creeping rhizomes.

Morphology Culms

Culms erect, up to 10 m. high.

Morphology Leaves

Leaf-blades 30–80 cm. long and 12–40 mm. wide, glabrous, rough to the touch beneath (at least in upper half), the tips attenuate and stiff (occasionally almost smooth or with filiform tips).

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Panicle 30–50 cm. long and 10–20 cm. wide, the lowest node often many-branched in a whorl, the branches bare of spikelets for some distance from their base.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets 9–12 mm. long, the rhachilla-hairs 4–7 mm. long, rather sparse; lower glume just over half as long as the upper; upper glume narrowly elliptic to very narrowly elliptic, 4–6 mm. long, acute to subacute; lowest lemma very narrowly elliptic, 7.5–12 mm. long; fertile lemmas very narrowly lanceolate, 8.5–11 mm. long.

Habitat

Stream sides, lake margins and swampy places; 300–2000 m.

Distribution

K4 K7 U2 U4 extending through Ethiopia and the Sudan Republic into West AfricaPolynesia, northern Australia and tropical Asia

Gramineae, W. D. Clayton. Flora of West Tropical Africa 3:2. 1972

Morphology General Habit

A rhizomatous perennial up to about 7 m. high

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Large plumose panicles

Ecology

Found near water.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/176957/7338671

Conservation

LC - least concern

Morphology General Habit

Perennial. Rhizomes elongated. Culms erect; reed-like; 200-1000 cm long. Leaves cauline. Leaf-sheaths loose. Ligule a ciliate membrane. Leaf-blades deciduous at the ligule; 30-80 cm long; 12-40 mm wide. Leaf-blade surface scaberulous; rough abaxially. Leaf-blade apex attenuate; hardened.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences

Inflorescence a panicle; bearing juvenile spikelets at emergence. Panicle open; oblong; dense; 30-50 cm long; 10-20 cm wide. Primary panicle branches profusely divided; naked below. Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled. Pedicels filiform.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Spikelets

Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 3-11 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 9-12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 0.5-1 mm long; bearded; obtuse. Floret callus hairs 0.5 length of lemma.

Fertile

Spikelets comprising 1 basal sterile florets; 3-11 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets cuneate; laterally compressed; 9-12 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret. Floret callus elongated; 0.5-1 mm long; bearded; obtuse. Floret callus hairs 0.5 length of lemma.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Glume

Glumes persistent; similar; shorter than spikelet; similar to fertile lemma in texture; gaping. Lower glume elliptic; 0.5-0.6 length of upper glume; membranous; without keels; 3-5 -veined. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume elliptic; 4-6 mm long; 0.5 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; without keels; 3-5 -veined. Upper glume apex acute.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers Florets

Basal sterile florets male, or barren; with palea; persisting on inflorescence. Lemma of lower sterile floret similar to fertile lemma; elliptic; 7.5-12 mm long; 1 length of fertile lemma; membranous; 3-7 -veined; acuminate. Fertile lemma lanceolate; 8.5-11 mm long; membranous; without keel; 1-3 -veined. Lemma apex acuminate. Palea 0.66 length of lemma; 2 -veined. Palea keels scaberulous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Lodicules 2. Anthers 3 (2 in sterile floret). Ovary glabrous.

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Caryopsis with adherent pericarp. Hilum elliptic.

Distribution

Africa: west tropical, west-central tropical, northeast tropical, and east tropical. Asia-temperate: western Asia, Arabia, China, and eastern Asia. Asia-tropical: India, Indo-China, Malesia, and Papuasia. Australasia: Australia. Pacific: southwestern, south-central, northwestern, and north-central.

Reference

Arundineae. FTEA.