If you鈥檙e heading outdoors for a Canada Day hike, a fishing trip or an all-terrain vehicle trek, you could be spreading one of Ontario鈥檚 worst invasive plants without even knowing it.
Phragmites, also known as European common reed, is an aggressive plant that spreads quickly and outcompetes native species for water and nutrients, according to .
Biochemicals released from the plant鈥檚 roots hinder the growth of surrounding plants and choke out native species.
Invasive phragmites can grow so densely, they crowd out other species. Often found in wetlands, tan-coloured phragmites have blue-green leaves and large, dense seed heads. The perennial plant spreads rapidly by seed and root fragments carried by wind, waves, vehicles, heavy equipment and people.
In Ontario, phragmites threaten native species such as the Blanding鈥檚 turtle and cost municipalities thousands in abatement costs.
Ontario鈥檚 Invasive Species Centre, for example, estimates it costs about $1,100 to manage one linear kilometre of phragmites in roadside ditches.
With Canada Day approaching, the Ontario Phragmites Action program is raising awareness about the invasive species through a new billboard campaign.
Invasive phragmites can grow so densely that they crowd out other species. Often found in wetlands, tan-coloured phragmites have blue-green leaves and large, dense seed heads.
Invasive Species Centre photo鈥楧ude, where’s my dock?鈥
Titled, 鈥淒ude, where鈥檚 my dock?鈥 the campaign encourages community members to help prevent the spread of this invasive plant while enjoying Ontario鈥檚 outdoor amenities.
The Ontario Phragmites Action billboard campaign can be seen along highways 400, 11 and 60. The effort aims to focus attention on the invasive plant for anyone headed to cottage country.
By highlighting this 鈥渞oad trip ruiner,鈥 the campaign aims to reach a wider audience beyond phragmites managers, the Invasive Species Centre announced in a news release.
鈥淧reventing further spread and submitting reports to complement ongoing mapping are a crucial part of the fight against phragmites,鈥 said Chelsea McIsaac on behalf of the Ontario Phragmites Action program.
Join the fight
Along with control efforts by land managers and volunteer groups, anyone headed to the cottage is encouraged to join the fight against invasive phragmites. Before heading out for an outdoor adventure, brush off your hiking boots and clean your recreational equipment 鈥 like bikes, all-terrain vehicles, boats and other watercraft 鈥 to help avoid spreading the invasive plant.
Phragmites poses a growing threat to lakeside living and visiting by overtaking beaches, obstructing lake views and limiting access to the water, the Invasive Species Centre adds.
The Ontario Phragmites Action program is a provincewide initiative involving conservation authorities, municipalities, Indigenous communities, environmental organizations and local volunteers.
How to report sightings
Learn how to recognize invasive phragmites by visiting the Ontario Phragmites Action program .
Report sightings of invasive phragmites through the or websites and mobile device applications. Your report should include an accurate location of the sighting, complete with photos.
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