| giant reed |
USDA PLANTS Symbol: ARDO4 USDA ARS GRIN: 4439 ITIS: 41450 |
| Arundo donax L. | |
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Taxonomic Rank: Liliopsida: Cyperales: Poaceae |
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| Synonym(s): elephant grass; wild cane; cana brava; carrizo | |
Giant reed is a perennial grass that can reach up to 20 ft. (6.1 m) in height. The stem resembles a corn stalk and has long, flat leaves up to 1.5 ft. (0.5 m) long. Flowering occurs in late summer to early fall, when plants are most easily recognized because of the large, dense flower plumes that develop at the tops of the culms. The plums can grow up to 3 ft. (0.9 m) in length. Giant reed invades wetlands such as ditches, stream banks and lake shores. Giant reed can completely suppress and remove native vegetation very easily, which reduces wildlife habitat, increases fire risks and interferes with flood control. Giant reed is native to India and was introduced into the United States in the early 1800s for ornamental purposes. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
- Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
- Fire Effects Information System - USDA Forest Service
- Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
- Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
- Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas - Plant Conservation Alliance
| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Feature(s); Clasping leaf bases. Tift County, GA Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); in June James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; leaves and stem closeup in June James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Stand growing back after being bulldozed Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Shown with pen for size comparison. Tift County, GA Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); David J. Moorhead, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); whole plants with infertile seedheads in November James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); Large plants in September Chuck Bargeron, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Chris Evans, River to River CWMA, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); John M. Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); December James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Diagram or Graphic; Hitchcock, A.S. (rev. A. Chase). 1950. Manual of the grasses of the United States. USDA Misc. Publ. No. 200. Washington, DC. USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
Taxonomic References:
- USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
Invasive Listing Sources:
- Faith Campbell, 1998. Plants that Hog the Garden: Invasive Plants in the United States. Fine Gardening Online
- Jackie Poole, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (personal communication)
- Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- Maryland Cooperative Extension Service. 2003. Invasive Plant Control in Maryland. Home and Garden Information Center, Home and Garden Mimeo HG88. 4 pp.
- Mid-Atlantic Exotic Pest Plant Council, 2005
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, 1999.
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- Alabama Invasive Plant Council
- California Invasive Plant Council
- California Noxious Weeds
- Apalachicola Invasive Working Group High
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council Category 3
- Nevada Noxious Weeds
- South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council Significant Threat
- Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council Lesser Threat
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