Zeekoevlei #5: Cool Reed!
The cache, a small camo-taped tablet pot, is hidden towards the northern end of the recreation area alongside the eastern edge of Zeekoevlei in this section of the False Bay Nature Reserve.
For information on Zeekoevlei Nature Reserve including access waypoints, see GC5EWW2 Zeekoevlei #1: Cool Place.
From the shady cache location as is the case all along this eastern shore of the vlei, you have a fine, tree-framed view to the west across the vlei to the Silvermine mountains dominated by Constantiaberg with its transmitter mast.
To find the cache, click on the image of that view above in order to access a jigsaw puzzle, completion of which will reveal the cache coordinates – and a helpful hint.
Please note that although the link is from a well-known source, it has 'not been checked by Groundspeak nor by the reviewer for possible malicious content and access to the site is therefore at your own risk'.
The vlei is fringed along this section with a thick bed of reeds which provide great habitat for birds and other creatures. The reeds consist mainly of Reed Grass (Phragmites mauritianus) with patches of Cape Bulrush (Typha capensis.
Another of the 4 species of the Phragmites genus P.australis has become a notorious and difficult to control invasive species, especially in N. America. See here for a video on control measures recommended in Canada.
The focus here is on the dominant Reed Grass which is found in variable habitat, including riverbeds, swamps, along margins of lakes and ponds at altitudes from 6-1600m in central and southern Africa, Madagascar, and Mauritius.
It is a robust, vigorous, fast-growing, perennial wetland grass with culms (aerial stems of grasses and sedges) that can grow up to 8m tall! As here, it often forms extensive stands (reed beds), which can reach over 1 sq.km. In good conditions it can also spread at over 5 m/year by horizontal runners (long rhizomes) which put down roots at regular intervals.
It can grow in damp ground, in standing water up to 1m deep, or even as a floating mat. The erect stems grow to around 2–4m tall with the tallest plants growing in areas with hot summers and fertile growing conditions.
It is a helophyte (aquatic plant), especially common in alkaline habitats, and as it also tolerates brackish 
water, is often found at the upper edges of estuaries and on other wetlands (such as grazing marsh) which are occasionally inundated by the sea.
Its growth is suppressed when it is grazed regularly by livestock. Under these conditions it either grows as small shoots within the grassland sward, or disappears altogether.
Uses: Its uses are similar to those of the cosmopolitan and problematically invasive Common Reed Phragmites australis.
Many parts of the plant can be eaten. The young shoots can be consumed raw or cooked. Hardened sap from damaged stems can be eaten fresh or toasted. Stems can be dried, ground into a flour, sifted, hydrated, and toasted like marshmallows. Its seeds can be crushed, mixed with berries and water, and cooked to make a gruel.
It plays a very important ecological role in wetlands not only providing habitat for many bird species and other animals, but also by protecting the soil from flooding and by filtering the water.
It is extensively used in phytodepuration, or natural water treatment systems, since the root hairs are excellent at filtering out impurities in waste water. So, it may be planted in basins and constructed wetlands to treat mainly domestic waste water, but also waste water from industrial sources.
It can be used for soil stabilization, especially along shores of lakes and streams and in gullies.
Stems are used for thatching grass and for light construction work to make walls and partitions in houses, fences, and as insulation material. They are also split and used for plaiting and wickerwork - for instance for mats, baskets and fish traps. Hollow stems are used as eco-friendly drinking straws.
It is even used to make paper, in the chemical industry and shows excellent potential as a source of biomass fuel.
Young growth is grazed by domestic and wild animals. The rhizomes are eaten, especially in times of famine. Dry stems are used as fuel when better material is not available.
A decoction of the aerial parts is drunk for the treatment of malaria. Eyes are sprinkled or bathed with leaf sap against conjunctivitis. In Zimbabwe the sharp edges of leaves are rubbed on affected areas to treat sexually transmitted diseases! Pieces of reed are used to insert enemas. The pounded rhizome mixed with salt is used on painful body parts to treat pneumonia. In Tanzania it is used to treat thrush in infants and burns, in South Africa it is used to treat barrenness in women, while in Uganda it is used in veterinary medicine for treating retained placenta.
See here, here and here for more information on and photos of this important and really useful plant.
The Cape Bulrush (Typha capensis) is found in southern and eastern Africa as far north as Uganda. It has also been reported from Brazil. Its rhizomes are used in southern Africa traditional medicine to improve circulation and enhance male libido and performance. See here for more information on this similarly useful plant.