芦苇Common Reed

水边最容易认的一种草。它是多年生的高大禾草，靠地下横走的根状茎成片扩张，往往一整段水岸都由同一丛芦苇的后代占据。The easiest grass to recognise by the water. It is a tall perennial grass that spreads in patches through creeping underground rhizomes, so a whole stretch of shoreline is often occupied by the offspring of a single clump.

芦苇的茎中空、分节，坚韧而轻，晒干后纤维含量高，自古就被用来造纸、编席、扎篱和搭屋顶。它同时也是湿地的净化者——密集的根系能截留泥沙、吸收水中过量的养分。Reed stems are hollow, jointed, tough and light. Dried, they are rich in fibre and have been used since ancient times for paper, mats, fences and thatched roofs. Reeds also clean wetlands: their dense roots trap silt and absorb excess nutrients from the water.