Switchcane

Arundinaria tecta

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Arundinaria
Species:
Arundinaria tecta
USDA Symbol:
ARTE4

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Graminoid , Shrub , Subshrub
Height:
200 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Low
Evergreen Shrub:
Yes

Wildlife Benefits

Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Carolina Roadside Skipper (Amblyscirtes carolina), Creole Pearly-eye (Enodia creola), Lace-winged Roadside Skipper (Amblyscirtes aesculapius), Northern Pearly-Eye (Enodia portlandia), reversed roadside skipper (Amblyscirtes reversa)

Reported Fauna Sightings

Butterflies:Enodia Hübner

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes after fire. Fire historically maintained open canebrakes by removing accumulated litter and stimulating new growth.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, nutrient-rich, sandy loam
pH:
4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
commonly found in wetland areas