Lowveld reed
Phragmites mauritianus

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A reed grass. It is more robust than common reed. It can be 3 m high. The leaves are broad and flat. They are greyish. The leaves are 2.5 cm wide. They taper to a sharp point. The shoots at the base have very sharp short leaves. The stems are very stout and stiffly erect. The flower shoot is like a feather. It is at the top and can be 45 cm long and 20 cm wide. The light brown hairy spikelets are 1 cm long.

Where it is found

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in poorly waterlogged and seasonally flooded land. It grows from sea level to 1,600 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Angola, Botswana, Central Africa, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The young shoots although slightly bitter are cooked and eaten as a delicacy. The sap from damaged stems is sweet and dried as a sugar.

Edible parts

Shoots

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Eembungu, Eterre, Gondze, Katete, Lubu, M'tete, Matete, Mbu, Mitetu, Oruu, Umuseke

Synonyms

Phragmites communis Trin. var. mauritianus (Kunth) Baker; Phragmites communis Trin. var. mossambicensis Andersson; Phragmites laxiflorus Steud.; Phragmites pungens Hack.; Phragmites vulgaris Crepin var. mauritianus (Kunth) T. Durand & Schinz; Phragmites vulgaris Crepin var. mossambicensis (Andersson) T. Durand & Schinz;