Texas Wildbuds
Arundo donax
(Giant Reed)
Arundo donax, Lower Rio Grande Wildlife Management Area, Mission, Hidalgo Co. 5209
Arundo donax, Lower Rio Grande Wildlife Management Area, Mission, Hidalgo Co. 5210
Arundo donax, Lower Rio Grande Wildlife Management Area, Mission, Hidalgo Co. 5215
Arundo donax, Lower Rio Grande Wildlife Management Area, Mission, Hidalgo Co. 5217
| Scientific Name | Arundo donax | USDA PLANTS Symbol | ARDO4 |
| Common Name | Giant Reed | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 41450 |
| Family | Poaceae (Grass) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Habitat: Sand bars, levees, along ditches, culverts, and roadsides where water accumulates. Plant: Tall, cane-like perennial grass forming large clumps from rhizomes; culms (stems) 6 to 20 ft. tall and up to 2 inches thick; mostly unbranched. Foliage: Narrow, flat alternate leaves, 1 to 2 ft. long and 1 to 2 inches wide, evenly spaced along the stem. Inflorescence: Erect, dense, much-branched panicle, 12 to 24 inches long; spikelets 3/8 to 5/8-inch long, 3 to 6-flowered; glumes are lanceolate, thin, about as long the spikelet; lemmas are lanceolate. Bloom Period: Late sumer. References: "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, SEINet and Texas Invasives. Note: Used extensively as a windbreak, for erosion control on wet dunes and as an ornamental but its tendency to spread is often a disadvantage and it is considered an invasive species in many southern US states, including Texas. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Texas Status: Introduced Invasive |
Banner photo of Castilleja indivisa and Lupinus ssp. taken along FM 1323 north of Johnson City, Blanco County
© Tom Lebsack 2025
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