Giant Reed Phragmites altissimus (Benth.) Mabille in Ivanovo Oblast

Resumo

The features of the distribution of the Phragmites altissimus (Benth.) Mabille invasive species in Ivanovo oblast are considered. The populations of the species on the banks of the Uvod (the city of Ivanovo) and Kineshemka (the city of Kineshma) rivers and along the roadsides in the city of Yuzha are described. The range of variability in the morphological traits and the structural features of Phragmites altissimus shoots are studied. The variability in the height of shoots and length of inflorescences and a lower variability in the width of leaf blades are revealed. The measurement of the height of young shoots of Phragmites altissimus and Phragmites australis establishes that the invasive reed species develops almost 2 times faster at early stages of ontogenesis than the local species. Phragmites altissimus in Ivanovo oblast clearly tends to exhibit further distribution. This species successfully passes the complete life cycle; it forms inflorescences with developed fruits; has a rapid vegetative propagation, thereby annually increasing the size of populations; and successfully competes with native flora species.