Giant reed grass, which grows 14 to 30 feet tall and 5 to 9 feet wide, is one of the tallest, ornamental, herbaceous perennials in the grass family (Poaceae). It is native to the Mediterranean, west and central Asia and temperate eastern Asia. It was introduced to the United States in the 1800s for erosion control. It is an invasive species in North Carolina, as well as other parts of the United States. Its rapid growth and spreading rhizomes mean that it can quickly crowd out native plants. Also, every node of the plant can root and create a new plant, making it reproduce easily. There is little or no reproduction by seeds. It has an erect arching habit. Its curved leaves are reminiscent of bamboo and they bronze with freezing temperatures. Please choose a native or less problematic plant for the landscape. Suggestions appear to the left. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: This plant is invasive in some parts of the United States. It can spread aggressively by rhizomes. It is listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council and is invasive in other parts of the United States as well. Native alternatives should be considered.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.