Taxonomic name: Arundo donax (L.)
Synonyms: Arundo donax var. versicolor (P. Mill.) Stokes, Arundo versicolor P. Mill.
Common names: arundo grass (English), bamboo reed (English), cana (Spanish), cane (English), canne de Provence (French), carrizo grande (Spanish), cow cane, donax cane (English), giant cane (English), giant reed (English), la canne de Provence (French-New Caledonia (Nouvelle Calédonie)), narkhat (Hindi), ngasau ni vavalangi (Fijian), Pfahlrohr (German), reedgrass (English), river cane (English), Spanisches Rohr (German), Spanish cane (English), Spanish reed (English)
Organism type: grass Giant reed (Arundo donax) is a perennial grass which has been widely introduced into primarily riparian zones and wetlands in subtropical and temperate areas of the world. Once established, it forms dense, homogenous stands at the expense of native plant species, altering the habitat of the local wildlife. It is also both a fire and flood hazard. Description
Arundo donax is a large statured clump-forming grass, 3-10 metres tall with many stems from a shallow, horizontal rhizome. Stem or culm hollow with bamboo-like nodes, 1-4cm diameter, typically unbranched the first year and forming branchlets from nodes in subsequent years or when damaged. Leaves clasping and long (to ca. 70cm), alternately arranged in a single plane, the ligule fringed with longish hairs. May form plume-like terminal inflorescence, but often non-flowering in higher latitudes. Occurs in:
agricultural areas, coastland, desert, natural forests, planted forests, range/grasslands, riparian zones, ruderal/disturbed, scrub/shrublands, urban areas Habitat description
Arundo donax invades riparian zones of low-gradient rivers and along ditches, and some wetlands and coastal marshlands. Once established, it can form huge clones, sometimes covering hundreds of acres. In Hawaii, it naturalises in coastal areas, often in thickets (Wagner et al, 1990). In Fiji, it is widespread on hillsides, in open forest, and along roadsides, up to about 200 metres altitude (Smith, 1979). General impacts
Arundo donax displaces native riparian vegetation and provides poor habitat for terrestrial insects and wildlife. It traps sediments and narrows flood channels, leading to erosion and overbank flooding. The giant reed also promotes wildfire, and its debris blocks streamflow and damages bridges. It may also reduce water availablility through high evapotranspiration. Geographical range
Native range: Considered native to the Indian sub-continent.
Known introduced range: Arundo donax now occurs worldwide in tropical to warm-temperate regions, including tropical islands. It is present in the Federated States of Micronesia (Pohnpei), Guam (rare per Stone, 1970), Republic of Palau (Koror), Fiji, Hawaii, Nauru, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island and Samoa, as well as Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean. An ornamental variety, Arundo donax var. versicolor (Mill.) Stokes is widely cultivated. It has white-striped leaves and is reported to be under cultivation in Fiji and Palau. It has been widely planted throughout the warmer areas of the U.S. As an ornamental. It is especially popular in the Southwest where it is used along ditches for erosion control (Perdue 1958). Introduction pathways to new locations
Agriculture:
Floating vegetation/debris:
Landscape/fauna "improvement":
Nursery trade: Canes traditionally cultivated for variety of uses - fencing, thatch, framing, musical instruments and woodwind reeds; carried esp. by Spanish colonists.
Local dispersal methods
Garden escape/garden waste: Available in nursery trade.
Translocation of machinery/equipment (local):
Water currents: Fragments of stems are often carried by water to new sites, where they emit roots. Management information
Preventative measures: A Risk assessment of Arundo donax for Australia
was prepared by Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) using the Australian risk assessment system (Pheloung,
1995), resulting in a recommendation that the plant requires further evaluation.
Chemical: Small populations can be controlled by physical removal of rhizomes, but control usually requires foliar or cut-stump application of aquatic-approved herbicide (e.g. glyphosate). Because Arundo donax tends to spread downstream, the best control approach is to start upstream and work downward. Highly drought tolerant once established.
Biological: Research on biological control with insects or pathogens was recently initiated. Nutrition
Arundo donax tolerates a wide range of soil types, including infertile streambanks, but responds dramatically to nutrient enrichment. Reproduction
No sexual reproduction known outside indigenous distribution. Asexual reproduction through lateral extension of rhizomes, and flow dislodgement of rhizomes and transport to deposition sites downstream. Rhizomes tolerate salt water, and can desiccate for several months and then form roots in moist substrate. Canes only poorly capable of re-establishment.
Established plant may expand by rhizome extension roughly one-half metre per year. This species has been nominated as among 100 of the "World's Worst" invaders Reviewed by: Major update under progress
Tom Dudley, Dept. of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, USA.
Compiled by: Tom Dudley, Dept. of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, USA & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
|
|
Last Modified: Thursday, 23 March 2006
|
