Biblical Reed, Giant Reed
Arundo donax

Family: Poaceae

What it is like

A large grass. It grows 3.7-4.5 m tall and 1.2-1.8 m wide. It forms clumps. It has rhizomes. The stems are like bamboo. They can be 6 m tall. The leaves are drooping and grey-green. They are 60 cm long. They have thick joints and slender stems. The flower plumes are feathery and purple at first but white later. They grow on second year stems in mild climates.

There are 2 or 3 Arundo species. The rhizome is used in medicine in Nepal. It can become invasive.

Where it is found

A temperate plant. It is frost hardy. It can grow in the tropics. It grows in Nepal from 1500-2400 m altitude. It suits hardiness zones 7-11. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Andorra, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Britain, Cambodia, Canada, Caribbean, Central Asia, Chile, China, East Africa, Easter Island, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, France, Greece, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, New Zealand, Niue, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Portugal, SE Asia, Samoa, Slovenia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, St Helena, St. Kitts and Nevis, Swaziland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tibet, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The young shoots are chewed and are sweet. They are used for flavouring. The stems are used as a preservative for tomatoes and olives.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Shoots, roots

How it is grown

It can be grown from cuttings or seeds.

Its other names

Local names

Alo-kyu, Arpik, Bansi, Bara nal, Branal, Cana de castilla, Canaveral, Danubian reed, Fiso papalagi, Gaha nal, Great reed, Green-leaved bamboo, Kaho, Kyu-ma, Navadna kanela, Pitosocos, Rumput rid raksasa, Spanish reed, Teberau gading

Synonyms

Arundo bengalensis Retz.; Arundo bifaria Retz.; Arundo longifolia Salisb. ex Hook. f.; Arundo triflora Roxb. ex Hook. f.;