• Giant Reed Stem 215x150

Category A Weed

Grass family (Poaceae)

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Giant reed (Arundo donax)

Stem

  • Up to 25 ft. tall and 1.5 in. thick; semi-woody, inflexible and hollow except at the nodes; branching usually does not occur until the second year of growth

Leaves

  • Alternate; blade is flat, less than 3 ft. long and 1-3 in. wide; edges (margins) are rough textured

  • Leaf base is lobed, clasps the stem and is fringed with long hairs

Flower

  • Plume-like with numerous fine branches; 1-2 ft. long and light-brown to purple; does NOT produce viable seed

Root

  • Creeping rhizomes

Other

  • Grows best in moist soils; known to occur in Clark, Humboldt and Nye counties

  • Perennial; reproduces by rhizomes and stem fragments

  • Resembles bamboo; historically planted to reduce erosion and sometimes planted today as an ornamental

Control

  • Hand removal of small populations can be effective; mowing and tillage are NOT recommended as they produce root and stem fragments that generate new plants

  • Apply glyphosate, triclopyr or imazapyr after seedhead formation in late summer or fall to foliage or cut stump; treat regrowth in spring or summer of the following year