Arundo - Giant Reed

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

• View Information Sheet (PDF)

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.