Arundo donax L. (Giant Reed) is a tall perennial reed, native to fresh waters in the Mediterranean region. Other common names include Spanish cane, wild cane, giant cane and arundo. It forms dense stands on disturbed sites, sand dunes, in wetlands and riparian habitats. A Giant Reed (Arundo donax). ... Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... Divisions Land plants (embryophytes) Non-vascular plants (bryophytes) Marchantiophyta - liverworts Anthocerotophyta - hornworts Bryophyta - mosses Vascular plants (tracheophytes) Lycopodiophyta - clubmosses Equisetophyta - horsetails Pteridophyta - true ferns Psilotophyta - whisk ferns Ophioglossophyta - adderstongues Seed plants (spermatophytes) †Pteridospermatophyta - seed ferns Pinophyta - conifers Cycadophyta - cycads Ginkgophyta - ginkgo Gnetophyta - gnetae Magnoliophyta - flowering plants Adiantum pedatum (a fern... Classes Magnoliopsida- Dicots Liliopsida- Monocots The flowering plants (also called angiosperms) are a major group of land plants. ... Orders Base Monocots: Acorus Alismatales Asparagales Dioscoreales Liliales Pandanales Family Petrosaviaceae Commelinids: Arecales Commelinales Poales Zingiberales Family Dasypogonaceae Monocotyledons or monocots are a group of flowering plants usually ranked as a class and once called the Monocotyledoneae. ... Families (APG) Anarthriaceae Bromeliaceae Centrolepidaceae Cyperaceae Ecdeiocoleaceae Eriocaulaceae Flagellariaceae Hydatellaceae Joinvilleaceae Juncaceae Mayacaceae Poaceae Rapateaceae Restionaceae Sparganiaceae Thurniaceae Typhaceae Xyridaceae The Poales is a cosmopolitan order of monocotyledonous flowering plants. ... Subfamilies There are 7 subfamilies: Subfamily Arundinoideae Subfamily Bambusoideae Subfamily Centothecoideae Subfamily Chloridoideae Subfamily Panicoideae Subfamily Pooideae Subfamily Stipoideae The true grasses are monocotyledonous plants (Class Liliopsida) in the Family Poaceae, also known as Gramineae. ... Genera Tribe Amphipogoneae  Amphipogon  Diplopogon Tribe Aristideae  Aristida  Sartidia  Stipagrosti Tribe Arundineae  Arundo  Dichaetaria  Gynerium  Hakonechloa  Molinia  Phragmites  Thysanolaena Tribe Cyperochloeae  Cyperochloa Tribe Danthonieae  Alloeochaete  Centropodia  Chaetobromus  Chionochloa  Cortaderia  Crinipes  Danthonia  Danthonidium  Dregeochloa  Duthiea  Elytrophorus  Erythranthera  Habrochloa  Karroochloa  Lamprothyrsus  Merxmuellera  Metcalfia  Monachather  Monostachya  Nematopoa  Notochloë  Pentameris  Pentaschistis  Phaenanthoecium  Plinthanthesis  Poagrostis... species See text Arundo is a cosmopolitan genus of stout, perennial grasses from the family Poaceae. ... In biology, binomial nomenclature is the formal method of naming species. ... Carolus Linnaeus Baba black sheep crowned patani queen Carl Linnaeus, also known after his ennoblement as (help· info), and in English usually under the Latinized name Carolus Linnaeus (May 23, 1707 – January 10, 1778), the name with which his publications were signed, was a Swedish botanist and physician who laid... A Red Valerian, a perennial plant. ... Reed may mean: Reed (plant), a plant with a tall strong hollow stem that grows in large groups in shallow water or on marshy ground Reed (music), a thin strip of material which vibrates to make music, often made from the stem of the reed plant Reed College, a college... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ... A riparian zone schematic from the Everglades. ...

It grows to 4-6 m tall, rarely to 10 m, with hollow stems 2-3 cm diameter. The leaves are alternate, 30-60 cm long and 2-6 cm broad with a tapered tip, grey-green, and have a hairy tuft at the base. Overall, it resembles an outsize Common Reed (Phragmites australis) or a bamboo. In botany, a leaf is an above-ground plant organ specialized for photosynthesis. ... Binomial name Phragmites australis (Cav. ... Diversity Around 91 genera and 1,000 species Subtribes Arthrostylidiinae Arundinariinae Bambusinae Chusqueinae Guaduinae Melocanninae Nastinae Racemobambodinae Shibataeinae See the full Taxonomy of the Bambuseae. ...

Arundo donax flowers in late summer, bearing upright, feathery plumes 40-60 cm long, but the seeds are rarely fertile. Instead, it mostly reproduces vegetatively, by underground rhizomes. The rhizomes are tough and fibrous and form knotty, spreading mats that penetrate deep into the soil up to one metre deep (Alden et al., 1998; Mackenzie, 2004). Stem and rhizome pieces less than 5 cm long and containing a single node readily sprouted under a variety of conditions (Boose and Holt, 1999). This vegetative growth appears to be well adapted to floods, which may break up individual A. donax clumps, spreading the pieces, which may sprout and colonise further downstream (Mackenzie 2004). Clivia miniata bears bright orange flowers. ... Ginger rhizome In botany, a rhizome is a usually-underground, horizontal stem of a plant that often sends out roots and shoots from its nodes. ... Node may mean: Node (botany), the place on a plant stem where a leaf is attached Node (physics), a spatial locus along a standing wave where the wave has minimal amplitude Node (networking), a device connected to a network, such as a computer or router Node (computer science), a basic...

It uses large amounts of water from its wet habitat to supply the rapid rate of growth, up to 5 cm per day in spring (Perdue 1958). It is very space-competitive, capable of growing in dense stands, which may crowd out other plants and prevent their recruitment.

Cultivation and uses

Arundo donax has been cultivated throughout Asia, southern Europe, northern Africa, and the Middle East for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians wrapped their dead in the leaves. The canes contain silica, perhaps the reason for their durability, and have been used to make fishing rods, walking sticks, and paper. Map of Ancient Egypt Ancient Egypt was the civilization of the Nile Valley between about 3000 BC and the conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great in 332 BC. As a civilization based on irrigation it is the quintessential example of an hydraulic empire. ... The chemical compound silicon dioxide, also known as silica, is the oxide of silicon, chemical formula SiO2. ... A fishing rod is a tool used to catch fish, usually for sport. ... A walking stick (or two) is a tool used by many people to ease pressure on the legs when walking. ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ...

The stem material is both flexible and strong enough to be used as a reed for woodwind instruments such as the oboe, clarinet, and saxophone. It is also often used for the chanter reed of the Great Highland Bagpipes. Giant reed has been used to make flutes for over 5,000 years. The pan pipes consist of ten or more reed pipes. Its stiff stems are also used as support for climbing plants or for vines. Further uses are walking sticks, and fishing poles. Since Arundo species grow very rapidly, their use has been suggested for biomass for energy and a source of cellulose for paper; at least one North American paper mill was considering planting it for a source of pulp fibre (Samoa Pacific, on Humboldt Bay, CA, in 2002), but abandoned the plan by early 2003. A reed is a thin strip of material which vibrates to make music. ... A woodwind instrument is a musical instrument in which sound is produced by blowing through a mouthpiece against an edge or by a vibrating reed, and in which the pitch is varied by opening or closing holes in the body of the instrument. ... Modern Oboe The oboe is a musical instrument of the woodwind double reed family. ... A bass clarinet, which sounds an octave lower than the more common Bâ™­ soprano clarinet. ... Saxophones of different sizes play in different registers. ... The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. ... Pan pipes (also known as the panflute or the syrinx or quills) is an ancient musical instrument based on the principle of the stopped pipe, consisting usually of ten or more pipes of gradually increasing length. ... The term vine was originally a term for the plant on which grapes grew, from the word for wine (Greek oinos), for which grapes were grown. ... Biomass is organic non-fossil material, collectively. ... Cellulose (C6H10O5)n is a long-chain polymer polysaccharide carbohydrate, of beta-glucose. ... This article or section contains information that has not been verified and thus might not be reliable. ...

Arundo donax as an invasive species

It was introduced from the Mediterranean to California in the 1820s for roofing material and erosion control in drainage canals in the Los Angeles area (Bell 1997; Mackenzie 2004). Through spread and subsequent plantings as an ornamental plant, and for use as reeds in woodwind intstruments, it has become invasive throughout warm coastal freshwaters of North America, and its range continues to spread. It has also been planted widely through South America and Australasia (Boose and Holt 1999; Bell 1997). Official language(s) English Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 3rd 410,000 km² 402. ... Events and Trends Nationalistic independence movements helped reshape the world during this decade: Greece declares independence from the Ottoman Empire (1821). ... An ornamental is a plant variety that is grown for its beauty (in its end use), rather than commercial or other value. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... It has been suggested that this article or section be merged with Oceania. ...

The fast, close-packed growth of Arundo donax and high water uptake allow it to dominate space in riparian habitats, crowding out other plant species. To present knowledge arundo does not provide any food sources or nesting habitats for wildlife. This results in resources provided by the crowded-out native plants not being replaced by the Arundo (Bell 1997; Mackenzie 2004). For example, it damages California's riparian ecosystems by outcompeting native species, such as willows, for water. A. donax stems and leaves contain a variety of harmful chemicals, including silica and various alkaloids, which protect it from most insect herbivores and deter wildlife from feeding on it (Bell 1997; Miles et al. 1993; Mackenzie 2004). Grazing animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats may have some effect on it, but are unlikely to be useful in keeping it under control (Dudley 2000). An alkaloid is a nitrogenous organic molecule that has a pharmacological effect on humans and other animals. ... In zoology, an herbivore is an animal that is adapted to eat primarily plants (rather than meat). ... Binomial name Bos taurus Linnaeus, 1758 Cattle (called cows in vernacular usage, or kine [archaic]) are domesticated ungulates, a member of the subfamily Bovinae of the family Bovidae. ... Species See text. ... This article is about goats, the animals. ...

A. donax appears to be highly adapted to fires, which are unusual in native Californian riparian habitat. It is highly flammable throughout the year, and during the drier months of the year (July to October), it can increase the probability, intensity, and spread of wildfires through the riparian environment, changing the communities from flood-defined to fire-defined communities. After fires, A. donax rhizomes can resprout quickly, outgrowing native plants, which can result in large stands of A. donax along riparian corridors (Bell 1997; Scott 1994).

A waterside plant community dominated by A.donax may also have reduced canopy shading of the in-stream habitat, which may result in increased water temperatures. This may lead to decreased oxygen concentrations and lower diversity of aquatic animals (Bell 1997).

Biological control

Biological control by insect herbivores or grazers is not a tenable option due to the variety of noxious chemicals in its stems and leaves, which protect it from most insect herbivores and deter wildlife from feeding on it (Bell, 1997; Miles et al. 1993; Mackenzie 2004). Biological control of pests and diseases Overview A key belief of the organic gardener is that diversity furthers health. ...

Mechanical control

Minor infestations can be removed manually, as long as the entire root mass and all rhizome parts are removed. Its dense growth and thick root masses make manual or mechanical removal of above-ground mass of large clonal monocultures a slow, inefficient, and difficult process. Rhizome pieces buried under 1-3 m of soil may resprout, and the disturbance caused by physical removal to the soil and surrounding communities may be severe.

Pull or dig plants, from seedlings to 2 m tall, ideally after heavy rains loosen the soil. Cut the stems of larger plants with a chainsaw or brushcutter, and dig up the roots with a shovel, pickax, or brush ax. Alternatively, use heavy equipment, such as an excavator. A tracked excavator by Daewoo. ...

Another method is to smother the plant with tarpaulin. The stems are cut as close to the ground as possible in May, and the clump covered with a very thick tarpaulin or with several tarpaulins for an entire growing season. This prevents light from reaching the plant, reducing its ability to photosynthesize, and keeps resprouts from tearing the tarpaulin. The lack of light will eventually deplete the plant's energy reserves and it will die back (Mackenzie 2004). A tarpaulin or tarp is a large sheet of strong, flexible, water resistant or waterproof cloth, often canvas coated with plastic or latex. ...

Chemical control

Systemic herbicides may be applied after flowering as a cut-stump treatment or foliar spray to kill the root mass (Bell 1997). Glyphosate is used in EPA-approved formulations for use in wetlands. For detailed information on the use and effects of glyphosate, see Tu et al., 2001. Always follow the label when using herbicides to avoid harm to other organisms. Glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine, C3H8NO5P) is a non-selective herbicide to kill weeds, especially perennials. ...

Disposal

Both treated and non-treated stems can be left on-site to decompose, although they break down very slowly. If left to compost, keep the debris well away from water. For stems that have not been chemically treated and in areas where it is feasible, the debris can be burned. Otherwise, the canes can be chipped into very small pieces for mulching. Chipped material can be disposed of either in green waste containers, or spread out to dry and possibly sprayed with herbicide if any regrowth occurs from chipped debris (Mackenzie 2004). Decomposition is the reduction of bodies and other formerly living organisms into simpler forms of matter; and most particularly to the fate of the body, after death. ... In agriculture and gardening, mulch is a protective cover placed over the soil, primarily to modify the effects of the local climate. ...

References

1. Alden, P., F. Heath, A. Leventer, R. Keen, W. B. Zomfler, eds. 1998. National Audubon Society Field Guide to California. Knopf, New York.
2. Bell, G. P. 1997. Ecology and Management of Arundo donax, and approaches to riparian habitat restoration in southern California. In Plant Invasions: Studies from North America and Europe, eds. J. H. Brock, M. Wade, P. Pysêk, and D. Green. Pp. 103-113. Backhuys, Leiden, the Netherlands.
3. Boose, A. B., and J. S. Holt. 1999. Environmental effects on asexual reproduction in Arundo donax. Weeds Research 39: 117-127.
4. Dudley, T. L. 2000. Noxious wildland weeds of California: Arundo donax. In: Invasive plants of California's wildlands. C. Bossard, J. Randall, & M. Hoshovsky (eds.).
5. Mackenzie, A. 2004. Giant Reed. In: The Weed Workers' Handbook. C. Harrington and A. Hayes (eds.) www.cal-ipc.org/file_library/19646.pdf
6. Miles, D. H., K. Tunsuwan, V. Chittawong, U. Kokpol, M. I. Choudhary, and J. Clardy. 1993. Boll weevil antifeedants from Arundo donax. Phytochemistry 34: 1277-1279.
7. Perdue, R. E. 1958. Arundo donax – source of musical reeds and industrial cellulose. Economic Botany 12: 368-404.
8. Scott, G. 1994. Fire threat from Arundo donax. pp. 17-18 in: November 1993 Arundo donax workshop proceedings, Jackson, N.E. P. Frandsen, S. Douthit (eds.). Ontario, CA.
9. Tu, M., C. Hurd, and J. M. Randall. 2001. Weed Control Methods Handbook: Tools and Techniques for Use in Natural Areas. The Nature Conservancy.

External links

• Arundo as an invasive species in California
• The Nature Conservancy: Arundo donax Info
• The Nature Conservancy Weed Control Methods Handbook