Arundo donax
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-ROON-doh DOH-naks
- This plant is an invasive species in North Carolina
- Description
-
Giant reed grass, which grows 14 to 30 feet tall and 5 to 9 feet wide, is one of the tallest, ornamental, herbaceous perennials in the grass family (Poaceae). It is native to the Mediterranean, west and central Asia and temperate eastern Asia. It was introduced to the United States in the 1800s for erosion control. It is an invasive species in North Carolina, as well as other parts of the United States.
Its rapid growth and spreading rhizomes mean that it can quickly crowd out native plants. Also, every node of the plant can root and create a new plant, making it reproduce easily. There is little or no reproduction by seeds.
It has an erect arching habit. Its curved leaves are reminiscent of bamboo and they bronze with freezing temperatures. Please choose a native or less problematic plant for the landscape. Suggestions appear to the left.
Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: This plant is invasive in some parts of the United States. It can spread aggressively by rhizomes. It is listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council and is invasive in other parts of the United States as well. Native alternatives should be considered.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Peppermint Stick'
- 'Peppermint Twist'
Tall grass with wide variegated leaves - 'Peppermint Stick'
- 'Peppermint Stick', 'Peppermint Twist', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Peppermint Stick'
- 'Peppermint Twist'
Tall grass with wide variegated leaves - 'Peppermint Stick'
- 'Peppermint Stick', 'Peppermint Twist', 'Variegata'
- Tags:
-
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Arundo
- Species:
- donax
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used traditionally as a medicine. Reeds for musical instruments are made from this plant.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- W. & Central Asia to Temp. E. Asia, Mediterranean
- Dimensions:
- Height: 14 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 5 ft. 0 in. - 9 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Pink
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- 1- to 2-ft. inflorescence opens with a reddish-brown cast; dries to full puffy, silver; in Fall. Excellent for cut flowers or in dried arrangements
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Upright stems with coarse, gray-green 2' long 3" wide leaves that clasp the stems; leaves bronze with freezing temperatures
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
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Landscape:
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Drought
- Pollution
- Problems:
- Invasive Species
- Weedy
