Arundo

Arundo is a genus of flowering plants in the grass family Poaceae, commonly known as arundo or reed. The best-known species is Arundo donax, the giant reed, native to the Mediterranean Basin and parts of Asia and Africa. Arundo species are tall, rhizomatous grasses that form dense stands in wetlands, riverbanks, and disturbed sites.

Arundo donax grows as a perennial grass with hollow, cane-like culms that can reach several meters in height under favorable conditions. Leaves are long and broad, and the plant produces large, open inflorescences. The growth form facilitates rapid spread through rhizomes, allowing stands to form monocultures in suitable climates.

Distribution and habitat: Native to the Mediterranean region, western Asia, and northern Africa, Arundo has been widely cultivated and naturalized in many warm climates around the world. In parts of Europe, North America, and Australia, Arundo donax forms dense stands and is considered invasive in many ecosystems, where it can crowd out native vegetation and alter hydrology and fire regimes.

Uses and significance: Historically, Arundo has been valued as a building material and for making reeds and canes used in musical instruments. It remains used ornamentally and for erosion control, biomass production, and potential phytoremediation or bioenergy applications due to its rapid growth and high biomass yield.

Ecology and management: Invasive populations pose ecological risks by outcompeting native plants and reducing biodiversity. Management typically involves mechanical removal, careful disposal of rhizomes, and herbicide treatments over multiple seasons to prevent re-sprouting. Prevention of spread is essential to control its impact in non-native regions.