Phragmites karka, the tall reed or common reed, is a species of flowering plant in the grass family. It is native to West Africa.^[3]

This species has a widespread distribution that includes West Africa, Southern Arabian Peninsula, Kenya, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands.^[3] It is also present in New Zealand, where it is categorised as an invasive weed.^[3][6]

It is a herbaceous, perennial species with a rhizomatous geophyte (underground storage organ) and primarily grows in the tropical regions during the dry season. During the winter, it is deciduous.^[3][7]

Plants can grow to 4–10 metres in height, with a diameter of 15-25mm.^[8]

The species is a fast-growing aquatic plant, often found in swamps, riverbanks and standing water, usually at elevations below 1,000 m.^[8][9]

Locally, this species is utilised as a source of building and construction material, and as food. It is often planted near rivers to purify water, and as an anchor against soil erosion.^[8][1] The young shoots of this plant can be cooked and eaten, like bamboo or asparagus. The young leaves can also be used as fodder.^[8][1] The grass is also use for thatching and making screens, baskets, brooms, hats, mats, paper and reeds for musical instruments and fuel.^[1]

In the Philippines, the panicles of this species are bunched-up in a fan-shape to create a broom, with the culms being tightly bound to a central bamboo piece.^[10]

This widespread, fast-growing species is classified by the IUCN as Least Concern.^[1]