Arundo - Giant Reed

arundo plant
arundo habit
arundo stem

Arundo - Giant Reed

(Arundo donax)

Information Sheet (PDF)

List B - Eradication Required

General

  • Family: Grass (Poaceae)
  • Introduced from Eurasia


Habitat

  • Forms dense thickets, can burn intensely
  • Found along wetlands and drainage areas
  • Perennial grass


Plant


Vegetation

  • Heart shaped collar clasps the stem
  • Leaves alternate, 1-3 inches wide and 1-3 feet long
  • Pale green to blue-green
  • Plants up to 30 feet tall
  • Stems hollow between nodes


Roots

  • Rhizomes form a “root ball” which can be several feet long and wide


Flower

  • 2 foot long panicles
  • June-September
  • Silver-cream


Seed

  • Brown, teardrop-shaped with small hairs
  • Most plants in North America do not produce viable seed


Reproduction

  • Rhizomes and plant fragments


Control


Biological

  • None


Chemical


Cultural

  • Prevention
  • Removal - Not recommended because fragments regrow


Mechanical

  • Burning - N/A
  • Grazing - N/A
  • Mowing - N/A


Use all chemicals according to the manufacturer's label. No specific recommendation or endorsement is made or implied by listing methods or products.