| giant reed | USDA PLANTS Symbol: ARDO4 U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Grass or Grasslike Forbs/Herbs |
| 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 | |
| Native Range: Mediterranean region (BAIL); | |
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
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| 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 |
| EDDMapS Distribution: This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org |
 State(s) Where Reported invasive. Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database. |
