Giant Reed
Other Common Names:
(Arundo donax)
Non-Native
Giant reed has thick round stems that grow in large clumps and can be six to 18 feet tall. Alternate leaves grow up to two feet long.
Management Options
Click here for more information on how to control giant reed.
Description
Giant reed has thick round stems that grow in large clumps. The stems are hollow, nearly two inches thick, rarely branching, and six to 18 feet tall. Leaves are arranged alternately on the stems and are attached almost all the way around the stem. Leaves are firm and grow three-fourths of an inch to more than two inches wide and one to two feet long. White flowers grow atop the stems in large clusters one to two feet tall. There are usually three flowers per spikelet, which is typically about half an inch long. The scales are thinly sword shaped with very fine points.
Location
Giant reed can be found across the southern half of the United States.
Propagation
seeds, rhizomes
Management Options
Click here for more information on how to control giant reed.