Phragmites australis

[urbpan]

One of the problems with the invasive giant reed Phragmites australis is that the huge dried stalks can present a fire hazard, especially if the grass is growing near a building.

These aren't my pictures, but they capture the potential problem very well.

Comments

[ndozo.livejournal.com]

Looks like you could just burn them off during a wet spell every year without much collateral damage. At least you'd get to pick the time for the fire.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_bazilisk_/]

Holy crap. I've heard of this problem but never seen photographic proof before. That's crazy.

[wandererrob.livejournal.com]

And I bet for added fun, the underground/water bits are nicely fire resistant, aren't they?

[ndozo.livejournal.com]

But they usually grow where it's soggy I think.

[weofodthignen]

Wow. Looks like everybody had fun tho . . . hope not too much wildlife died.