Plant DetailShow Menu

Switchcane Arundinaria tecta

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Arundinaria gigantea ssp. tecta
Phonetic Spelling
ar-run-din-NAY-ree-a TEC-tuh
Description

Switch cane is a native bamboo in the Poaceae (grass) family found in the coastal plain and piedmont regions of the eastern US from Virginia to Florida where it grows in the understory of moist forests and wetlands.  It typically grows upright 2 to 6 feet in height but can approach 12 feet when conditions are favorable.

Plant in full sun to deep shade in moist, to wet, rich loamy soil.  Switch cane has tall thin green stems and vigorous running, rhizomes that grow in many directions. The leaves are alternate with a smooth margin and hairs. Flowers are inconspicuous and rare but appear in the spring and flowering stems die back when the seeds mature in the summer.  A. tecta can be distinguished from A. gigantea in any of the following ways: A. tecta rhizomes have air canals on the perimeter, larger top knot leaves (8 to 12 inches in length), and 2-5 compressed nodes at the base of the branches (compared to 0 -1 nodes for A. gigantea).

This native plant provides cover and food for wildlife like birds as well as being a larval host plant for butterflies. Plant along streams, ponds or bogs to stabilize banks, for naturalizing an area or use as a hedge. The native bamboos have been over-grazed by cattle and uprooted by swine, thus decreasing their populations along with loss of habitat.

Fire Risk: This plant has an extreme flammability rating and should not be planted within the defensible space of your home.  Select plants with a low flammability rating for the sites nearest your home. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious problems.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#rain garden#cover plant#riparian#wetlands#fire extreme flammability#NC native#native garden#rhizomatous#native ornamental grass#larval host plant#understory planting#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#coastal plant#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#rain garden#cover plant#riparian#wetlands#fire extreme flammability#NC native#native garden#rhizomatous#native ornamental grass#larval host plant#understory planting#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#coastal plant#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Arundinaria
    Species:
    tecta
    Family:
    Poaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Roots have been used in herbal medicine
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eastern and southeaestern USA
    Distribution:
    AL, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, VA
    Fire Risk Rating:
    extreme flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Provides cover for birds and other wildlife and the seed are a food soruce. It is a larval host plant for butterflies.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Food Source
    Edibility:
    Young shoots can be cooked and eaten. Seeds can be a substitute for wheat
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil Drainage:
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Caryopsis
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Seeds mature in the summer
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Green
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Insignificant
    Panicle
    Spike
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Description:
    Flowers sporadically March to June in panicles with clustered spikelets of five to ten flowers
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate stem leaves with hairs on both sides and smooth margins. They are 3-8 inches long, 0.4 to 1 inch wide and taper towards the base. The "Top-knot of leaves consists of 9-12 leaves
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Round
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
    Stem Description:
    Thin-walled and rigid stems with 3-4 compressed basal internodes are green and mature to brown
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Riparian
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Rain Garden
    Water Garden
    Design Feature:
    Hedge
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil