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giant cane

Scientific Name: Arundinaria gigantea

Family: Poaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Subshrub, Shrub, Graminoid

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Giant Cane (Arundo donax)

Giant cane, scientifically known as Arundo donax, is a tall, perennial grass with several common names, including giant reed, Spanish cane, Colorado River reed, wild cane, and Carrizo. It is often considered an ornamental grass and is being explored for its potential in the renewable fuels industry.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant has cane-like clumps.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Arundo donax
  • Common Names: Giant cane, giant reed, Spanish cane, Colorado River reed, wild cane, Carrizo, nal grass.
  • Family: Poaceae (Grass family), also known as Gramineae.
  • Synonyms: A. maxima
  • Related Species: Arundinaria gigantea is also referred to as Giant Cane, River cane, Switch cane, American bamboo Arundinaria tecta, (Walter) Muhl., and referred to as Switch cane,

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to India and Asia, widespread throughout the Mediterranean region, and introduced into the U.S. in the early 1800s.
  • Found in damp soils, either fresh or moderately saline.
  • Grows in river banks, moist bottomlands, swampy areas, and bogs, particularly from Florida to Texas and north to Kansas.
  • Found practically worldwide, North and South.

Ecological Role

  • Considered an invasive species in some regions, particularly in riparian corridors where it alters hydrology, nutrient cycling, and fire regimes, displacing native species.
  • Was often planted for erosion control in flood channels and as wind breaks.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • A tall, cane-like perennial grass that can grow to over 20 feet (some sources say 9-30 feet) in height.
  • Grows in many-stemmed clumps, spreading from horizontal rootstocks (rhizomatous).
  • Culms (stems) can be woody.

Quirky Facts

  • Arundo donax is being explored for its potential as a dedicated biomass crop due to its fast growth rate.
  • The culms (stems) have multiple uses, leading to intentional distribution.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Can crowd out native plants in areas where it is invasive.
  • Ophthalmic disease can be caused by a myecete growing on giant cane

Further Information

  • USDA NRCS National Plants Data Team
  • USDA's National Invasive Species Information Center
  • Dave's Garden (a community for sharing gardening tips and ideas)
  • OSU HAREC