Can anyone identify this plant? It is found in ditches and low areas in lowcountry SC,

[raccoon]

probably in GA, NC, VA, etc., as well. I think it's some variety of reed.

Its head is sort of rust-red. Sorry my photo is so dark.

It grows about 5 feet tall and this picture was made about 2 weeks ago.

[Denninmi]

1. Grows here in Michigan as well.

In fact, one came up on the banks of my pond a few years back. It was rather pretty, but it died out after 3 or 4 seasons.

I believe it is a species of Cyperus, but I don't know for sure.

[Agony]

2. "Sedges have edges" check to see if the stem is triangular... if so then Denni is

likely correct that it is of the genus Cyperus. There are hundreds of species of Cyperus. If the stem is round then it is a grass (or rush, but it doesn't look like a rush). A little hard to tell from your picture but it is very sedgelike. If it has a round stem then it might be the grass, Phragmites also called, as you said, a reed.

[Denninmi]

3. I think I found it.

I think it's Scirpus cyperinus, Wool Grass.

http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&source=hp&q=Juncus+effusis&btnG=Google+Search#sclient=psy&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&q=Scirpus+cyperinus&aq=f&aqi=g2g-o1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&pbx=1&fp=6f32b8af52b7e0b8