Phragmites japonicus ("Tsuruyoshi")

Japanese name: ツルヨシ （蔓葦）
Scientific name: Phragmites japonicus

[Overview]
A colonial perennial 1.5–3 m tall, found on sandy riverbanks.
It spreads by rhizomes extending underground and also produces long aboveground stolons (runners).
The aboveground stolons bear green leaves, the nodes have long white spreading hairs, and the stolons bend in a zigzag at each node.
The stem (culm) is hollow and cylindrical, with long white spreading hairs at the lower nodes.
The leaves are alternate, linear to linear-lanceolate, 10–30 cm long and 2–3 cm wide, with pointed tips and rough margins.
The ligule is hair-like.
The upper part of the leaf sheath is usually tinged with reddish purple.
The spikelets are densely set in a large panicle-like inflorescence 25–35 cm long.
The spikelets are stalked, about 1 cm long (0.8–1.2 cm), and consist of 3–4 florets; the rachilla has long white hairs.
The first glume is lanceolate and is usually 1/2–3/5 the length of the lowest lemma.
The second glume is lanceolate.

[Cultivation]
Propagate by division.
It prefers a sunny location.
Paddy soil is suitable for planting.
The aboveground parts die back in winter, but do not let the water dry up at any time of year.
From spring to autumn, push slow-release fertilizer or fermented oil cake into the soil.

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