Arundo donax shown in scale to an adult man.

The invasive A. donax taking over a riparian habitat.

The variegated . donax 'Versicolor', a popular garden cultivar.

	'mouse-over' for meanings
	habit silhouette and scale

Arundo donax   L. 1753

Poaceae

giant reed, spanish reed, giant cane • Afrikaans: spaanse-riet • Català (Catalan): canya de Sant Joan, canya comù • Español: caña comùn, cañabrava, caña de Castilla • Française: canne de Provence, grand roseau • Hrvatski (Croatian): trska-bambus • Italiano: canna comune, canna di palude, canna di Provenza, canna gentile • Português: cana-do-brejo, cana-do-reino, canno-do-reino, capim-plumoso • Ελληνική (Greek): καλάμι

עברית (Hebrew): עבקנה שכיח • Arabic: نبات الغاب

This species is considered to have its origins in East Asia, but naturalized in India, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean since ancient times, and today is on invasive plant lists throughout the world.

Synonymy: Arundo glauca Bubani 1901; Arundo latifolia Salisbury 1796; Arundo maxima Forskål 1775; Arundo sativa Lamarck 1779; Cynodon donax (L.) Raspail 1825; Donax arundinaceus Beauv. (Bed) 1821

The genisis of this species remains unclear, but current thinking places it in East Asia. This is the case with various other plants that have been important to man for thousands of years, so it comes as no surprise that this singular plant, which produces an important component of musical instruments, would be among these ranks.

An Etruscan Aulos (a double-oboe).

Woodwind instruments, which require a 'reed' in order to function, are dependent upon the producion of said 'reed's from Arundo donax. There is no other plant that can come close to the quality of resonance, and no synthetic substitite has been devised to imitate it. As these instruments are mong the oldest, most of which trace their lineages to the Middle East, India, and further east, it take no feat of imagination to conclude that this plant was certainly brought westward by any serious ancient traveling musician. Indeed this species has been naturalised in the Mediterranean basin for so long that it is generally considered endemic. Accounts in ancient Greece lead us to beleive that this plant was know and had a long use in instruments.

A. donax drying in the sun of Southern France (Var region). © Azur Alive

Today, in the South of France, the Var region is still regarded as producing the best reeds for instruments, though now that A. donax in known throughout the world, there are many other places that have started to rival this tradition, catching the attention of innovative musicians.

One of the reasons why it seems clear that species was introduced is because it is observed to offer little to local wildlife in terms of food or appropriate shelter. This is also why there is concern regarding is invasiveness - it rapidly overtakes riparian habitats, creating a monoculture that crowds out native plants species and consequently reducing populations of native birds and animals. It year-round high flammibility can increase the risk of fire.

One of the fastest growing plant species on the planet, shoot growth has been recorded at bewteen 2-4 in (5-10 cm) per day. The 1 in (2-3 cm) stems can reach 20-30 ft (6-10 m) in one season, branching in their second year to produce even more biomass. This quick growth is common under continually wet conditions but Giant Reed is also tolerant of seasonal dryness.

While A. donax can produce flowering panicles later in the year, these seldom produce viable seed, propagation being mainly by the extensive system of underground rhizomes. These can break away during flooding and put down roots easily and quickly in a new location, creating a new colony.

Because of this fast growth rate, there are various projects underway to evaluate its use as a fuel, though the feasibility of this use is still unclear. Other uses of Giant Reed include making brooms from the flower panicles, weaving the stems into mats, hats, and other useful object, thatch for roofing, and even a yellow dye produced from the pollen. Horticultural uses include erosion control on slopes and riverbanks and in Pakistan it has been emplyed experimentally as a nurse plant for degraded dry landscapes.

Stem tissues contain a high amount of silica, perhaps one of the reasons for their durability and unique flexibility.

References

Azur Alive (blog). 14 May 2007. The Provencal Cane. Website http://www.azuralive.com/2007/05/the_provencal_c.html   [accessed 18 Feb 2010].

Chiej. R. 1984. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald. ISBN 0-356-10541-5

Csurhes, Steve. 2009. Giant Reed, Arundo donax. Biosecurity Queensland, Australia. Website http://dpi.qld.gov.au/documents/Biosecurity_EnvironmentalPests/IPA-Giant-Reed-Risk-Assessment.pdf   [accessed 13 Feb 2010].

Duke, James A. 1983. Handbook of Energy Crops. Website http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Arundo_donax.html   [accessed 11 Feb 2010].

Hoddle, Mark. 2007. Giant Reed, Arundo donax (Poaceae). Center for Invasive Species Research, University of California, Riverside. Website http://cisr.ucr.edu/giant_reed_arundo.html   [accessed 18 Feb 2010].

Moerman. D. 1998. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. ISBN 0-88192-453-9