Giant Reed

Arundo donax

Giant Reed

Forest and Kim Starr

Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Poaceae
Genus:
Arundo
Species:
Arundo donax

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Graminoid , Shrub , Subshrub
Height:
20-40 ft
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
High
Bloom Months:
jun, jul, aug, sep, oct, nov
Bloom Colors:
white, yellow

Native Range

United States: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Palau, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Virgin Islands, West Virginia

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Gabara subnivosella

Reported Fauna Sightings

Butterflies:Broad-winged Skipper (Poanes viator), Broad-winged Skipper (Poanes viator), Crescents (Phyciodes Hübner)

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
moist, fertile, well-drained loam
pH:
6.0 - 8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
Drainage:
tolerates poor drainage
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
Commonly found in riparian zones and wetlands