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Grass Gallery
Poaceae, Arundinoideae, Arundineae - Reeds
(Family, Subfamily, Tribe)
tribe Arundineae
Giant Reed (Spanish Reed) Arundo donax
Hollow woody clums grows 15-30 feet tall, 3/4"-1 1/4" wide. Alternating leaves, 1-2 feet long, up to 2" wide, hairy tuft at base. Upright inflorescence is a large silky tuft, white, 16"-24" long, mid summer. Dense colonies form from rhizomes that reach 3 feet deep. New plants are produced by planting a 2" stem or rhizome containing a node. Used as an ornamental and to make woodwind musical instruments. It is one of the fastest growing terrestrial plants. Very invasive and a water hog.
Photos taken in Taylor County, Texas, September 2007
(Introduced, native of Eurasia, worldwide - Brown)
Similar Species
Common Reed Phragmites australis
Hollow woody clums grows 6-18 feet tall. Leaves, 20" long, about 1" wide. Drooping inflorescence is a large feathery tuft, dark purple turning grayish, 8"-20" long, mid summer. New plants are produced by planting a 2" stem or rhizome containing a node. Used for thatched roofs, boats, paper, spears, and mats. It helps clean waters of contaminates.
(Native of Texas, worldwide - not in my area)
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