Reed is a common name for several tall, grass-like plants of wetlands. They are all members of the order Poales (in the modern, expanded circumscription), and include:
In the Poaceae (grass) familyCommon reed (Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.), the original species named reedGiant reed (Arundo donax L.), used for making reeds for musical instrumentsBurma reed (Neyraudia reynaudiana)Reed canary-grass (Phalaris arundinacea)Reed sweet-grass (Glyceria maxima)Small-reed (Calamagrostis species)In the Cyperaceae (sedge) familyPaper reed or papyrus (Cyperus papyrus), the source of the Ancient Egyptian writing material, also used for making boatsIn the Sparganiaceae familyBur-reed (Sparganium species)In the Typhaceae familyReed-mace (Typha species), also called bulrush or cattailIn the Restionaceae familyCape thatching reed (Elegia tectorum), a restio originating from the South-western Cape, South Africa.Thatching reed (Thamnochortus insignis), another restio species originating from the same geographic region.Phragmites australis, the common reed, is used in many areas for thatching roofs. In the United Kingdom, common reed used for this purpose is known as "Norfolk reed" or "water reed". However, "wheat reed" and "Devon reed" are not in fact reed at all, but long-stemmed wheat straw.
