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Why can common reed, Phragmites australis, dominate wetlands?

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wild rice — Poaceae Wild rice (*Zizania aquatica*).

The common reed (Phragmites australis) is highly successful at dominating wetlands primarily due to its ability to reproduce and spread through rhizomes—horizontal underground stems that allow the plant to rapidly infest moist-to-saturated soils.1

These extensive, creeping rhizomes enable the species to colonize areas aggressively, often leading to the exclusion of almost all other plant species in habitats such as swamps, ponds, and stream banks. In addition to this vegetative spread, Phragmites australis is a versatile and widely distributed species that produces fruits in parachute-like containers, which are efficiently dispersed by the wind. Its capacity for rapid growth and its ability to form dense stands make it one of the most successful plants at dominating its environment.12