Arundo donax
Non-Native
What is Giant Reed?
Physical Characteristics
Leaves:
- Blades mostly 1-2 feet long
- 0.78-2+ inches wide
- Firm
Flowers:
- Thick cluster of flowers
- White in color
- 1-2 feet long
- Spikelets 0.5-0.6 inches long
- Usually 3 flowers per spikelet
- Closely overlapping scales
- Scales about 0.28 inches long
- Scales thinly sword-shaped
- Scales have very fine points
Stem:
- Thick, short rhizomes
- Grow in large clumps
- Hollow stem
- 6-18 feet long
- Up to 2 inches thick
- Growing upright
- Rarely branching
Where Does it Grow?
Non-Native
Giant reed is native to India and was introduced into the U.S. in the early 1800’s.
Giant reed can be found along irrigation ditches and streams, occasionally in marshes, sand bars, and levees of the Rio Grande in Rio Grande Plains.
Pros and Cons of Giant Reed
This is a non-native plant that should not be grown as it is invasive and illegal to possess or transport this species in Texas. Please report sightings to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at (512) 389-4800.