Plants
Reed
Reed is a very adaptable plant and can grow in a range of conditions. It can grow in water tables that range between 1m above ground level to 1m below (Haslam 1972) and although it prefers freshwater, reed is tolerant of both brackish and tidal water. However, unlike reed the majority of other plants associated with reedbeds are not able to tolerate such a wide range of water levels. On sites where the summer water level is 20cm or more, reed will be the dominant species this community is generally referred to as ëreedswampí. However, where water is at ground level or below during the summer months, communities comprising reed and tall herb species develop known as ëreedfení.
Reedswamp
Reedswamp is characterised by a dominance of common reed, interspersed with taller emergent plants such as reedmace. At the interface between reed and open water, plants such as duck and pond weed can be found.
Reedfen
Reedfen has a far greater botanical interest. Where the water is shallow plants such as yellow iris, branched bur-reed and the less common, greater spearwort are able to compete with reed. Where summer water levels are at or below ground level species such as, hemp agrimony, greater willowherb and bittersweet may occur. A number of nationally scarce plant species are associated with reedfen these include milk parsley, marsh pea, fen orchid and crested buckler fern. Scrub species such as alder and willow also colonise the drier parts of reedbeds, if left unmanaged these areas will eventually develop into woodland.
Although reedbeds support a number of nationally scarce species none of them are restricted to reedbeds most can be found in a number of different wetland habitats.
References
Haslam, S.M. (1972) The Reed Phragmites communis Trin. In The Reed (ëNorfolk Reedí) pp3-48. Norfolk Reed Growers Association. Second Edition.
