Giant Reed
ExplorePlants
Giant Reed
Arundo donax
Giant Reed is a tall grass that grows near water. Its sturdy stems can reach great heights and provide shelter for birds and insects.
Habitat: Wetlands
Appearance
The Giant Reed is a towering grass with thick, bamboo-like stalks that can reach impressive heights. It has long, broad, blue-green leaves and develops large, feathery, purplish-silver flower plumes in late summer.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderPoalesFamilyPoaceaeGenusArundo
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
5
Interesting facts
Giant Reed is one of the fastest-growing terrestrial plants in the world!
Its hollow stems are sometimes used to make reeds for clarinets and saxophones!
Some people use dried Giant Reed stalks to build fences or simple shelters.
This plant can be harvested to create biomass, which is used to make energy!
Special abilities
Ability
Rhizome Runner
Giant Reed can spread quickly using tough underground stems called rhizomes that help it colonize new areas.
Ability
Wind Warrior
Giant Reed has sturdy, hollow stalks that are strong and flexible, helping it stand tall even in windy conditions.
Ability
Water Seeker
Giant Reed can draw up a lot of water from the soil, allowing it to thrive in damp places like riverbanks.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 200-1000 cm
- Spread
- 100-200 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late summer to fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Wind
Ecological connections
eats
Arundo gall wasp
Tetramesa romana
Its larvae develop inside the plant's stems.
shelters
Red-winged Blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
Often builds nests within dense reed stands.
eaten by
European Rabbit
Oryctolagus cuniculus
Browses on the young shoots and leaves.
Traits
Grass-Like
Grass-like plants are herbaceous plants that visually resemble true grasses, typically having long, narrow leaves.
Rapid Growing
Rapid growing plants exhibit accelerated growth rates, quickly increasing in size and biomass within a short period.
Wetland
This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.
Invasive
Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health.
Also known as
CarrizoGiant Reed GrassSpanish Reed
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Enjoy looking at Giant Reed from a safe distance and avoid touching it without adult supervision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify Giant Reed?
The easiest way to identify Giant Reed is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is Giant Reed?
200-1000 cm
How wide does Giant Reed spread?
100-200 cm
When does Giant Reed bloom?
Late summer to fall
Is Giant Reed edible?
No
Is Giant Reed toxic?
None
What is Giant Reed's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Giant Reed pollinated?
Wind
Snap Map
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