Help with identification

[SQUID]

Can anyone help with identifying this grass/weed? It's in several of our local road ditches, it appears to tolerate wet feet and doesn't appears to be aggressively spreading. I'm looking for a economical, low maintenance screening cover for a frontage road ditch.

 

[Thinkin Rut]

Pretty sure it's pampas grass.

 

[DannyBoy]

Agree it looks like pompass grass. There are several cultivated varieties, some of which do spread aggressively, which is why it is taking over in alot of our ditches. Heavily seeded switchgrass would offer just as good a screen and most likely stand up better to the elements.

 

[iabwhntr]

My vote is for Miscanthus grass.

 

[mswaldo]

Phragmites

That is Phragmites. It is very invasive and hard to get rid of. It has no good purpose. DO NOT TRANSPLANT!! you will be sorry. It overtakes everything.

The best way to get rid of it is to keep it cut throughout the year and spray with a strong dose of roundup in the fall. It spreads through the roots.

not a good thing.

 

[letemgrow]

You do not want phragmites on your property Squid. There are much better options out there than that invasive.

 

[BigfootWillow.com]

Yes, looks like Phragmites, known as Common Reed. Runs fast like bamboo, can be controlled in situations where it is mowed around frequently. As your photos shows, stands up pretty good through the winter and has ornamental plumes, obviously working as screening in the photo since I can't see anything behind it.

It has no good purpose

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phragmites#Uses