Phrag in Iraq

With all of the bad news spewing forth from Iraq, I thought it might be time to post this. Phragmitis australis or "common reed" is one of the most invasive plant species in the northeast. Toiling diligently to destroy it, in this country restoration workers use mechanical & chemical means to squelch its vigor. Maybe we should take a page out of the Iraqi notebook. There, it is native & is used by Iraqis living in the northern marshes to build boats, housing, and temples. The temple in the photo below is said to be cool even at noon in the desert.







An article from NY Times in March on restoring the marshes of northern Iraq that were destroyed by Saddam Hussein.

More about Phragmites australis in the U.S.